Up and Down the Mountain

A photo essay of the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal

SportsRiley Sparks — Published September 14, 2010

Hesjedal came third overall, one ahead of his fourth-place finish in the UCI Grand Prix in Quebec City on September 11. Photo Riley Sparks

The peloton chases the four-man breakaway. Photo Riley Sparks

Ivan Gutierrez of Caisse d’Epargne had mechanical problems almost immediately. One of the Caisse d’Epargne support team gives Gutierrez a push after a mechanic changed Gutierrez’s front wheel. Photo Riley Sparks

Canadian Ryder Hesjedal (orange helmet), who took seventh place in this year’s Tour de France, nears the top of the longest hill of the 12.1 km course. Photo Riley Sparks

Team Rabobank’s Maarten Tjallingii, Euskaltel Euskadi’s Gorka Izagirre, Caisse d’Epargne’s Angel Madrazo and Kevin Seeldraeyers of Quick Step broke away from the main field early. Photo Riley Sparks

Riding at the head of the breakaway, Tjallingii watches the peloton descend Mont Royal as he begins his ascent. Photo Riley Sparks

The peloton nears the top of Camilien Houde in pursuit of the breakaway. The four riders held onto an almost four-minute lead until the peloton caught them on the eighth lap. Photo Riley Sparks

In each of the 16 laps, the cyclists ascended 211 vertical metres on the 2.1 km climb up Cote Camilien Houde. Photo Riley Sparks

Patrick Gretsch of Team HTC - Columbia asks BMC’s Brent Bookwalter for more space as Gretsch strays close to the edge of the road. Photo Riley Sparks

Ryder Hesjedal remained near the middle of the pack for most of the race, until Robert Gesink of Rabobank sprinted ahead on the final lap. Hesjedal and five other riders pursued Gesink to the finish line but couldn’t catch the Dutch rider. He finished first with a four second lead. Photo Riley Sparks

A photo essay on the riders who enjoyed an eventful day of cycling Sunday as they partook in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal.

This article originally appeared in Volume 31, Issue 05, published September 14, 2010.