I’m excited to be going to the World Championships in September. I’ll be watching the men’s and women’s elite road races. I’m trying to figure out the best spectator position(s) on the Mount Royal circuit. I assume the decisive move will come on one of the climbs; from the GPX file, that looks like an area in the east side of the park, right after they finish the rectangular section that includes the finish. Any first hand knowledge from watching the Grand Prix? Anybody going?
Check out the last few years of gp Montreal, it’s basically that course so should be raced similarly.
yes, I’m looking at the maps and gpx files. I’m just not sure where on the course is the best vantage point
I meant re watch those races, see where the attacks go and put yourself there.
im going too. i cant wait. flying out from victoria on the 24th so we’ll catch the womens and the mens races on the weekend. my first ever pro bike event. definitely gonna try get a good spot on the climb
I’ve watched coverage of the race. I just don’t know where on the circuit the climbs are
I’ve attended in person (and am going this year), hard to say where the best viewing experience will be, it depends what you’re looking for
Personally I find it fruitless to try to position yourself to see the decisive move. To go to the most likely places you’ll be in crowds five deep and for me that isn’t worth the (slightly) increased chances of seeing the meaningful action in person
I like to go to experience the race and see the overall race day experience
The feed zone (near the start/finish) is great to watch and experience plus it’s where riders pull themselves so you get some neat scenes of riders that are fully done just chilling
The u turn heading into the finish is great if there’s a small group in the last lap
Any uphill section will be fun because you’ll see the race at a more sedate pace
The screaming downhill into the sweeping right turn into the finish area is hectic and mind blowing for the speed
All to say - my vibe for the men’s race is to walk around the circuit and watch from a bunch of places throughout the day
For the u23 and women’s races crowds will be way less, so I’ll spend more time on the primary climb after the finish line
yeah, that was my suspicion. I’m 5’6", so deep crowds don’t work for me. I think I’ll wander the eastern part of the course for the elite women Saturday, and try some of the spots you suggested. I’m staying in Brossard, so I can walk to the start both mornings, then figure out the tram/train system to get across to the park