September 12, 2014 (Quebec City, QC) – Canada’s Cody Canning boldly attacked early in the Challenge Sprint Pro final to upset title holder Bryan Coquard of France while fast Australian Steele von Hoff was third ahead of another Canadian, Elliott Doyle.

Coquard, winner on Grande Allee a year ago, and Von Hoff, impressive in the heats, started the final showdown as favourites but the Edmonton-born Canning was not impressed. The French title-holder cunningly stayed in Von Hoff’s wheel, probably thinking he was his most serious rival and was unable to react when the Alberta rider took his chance and jumped for the finish line. Von Hoff had to be content with the last podium spot.

Canning, who had a first taste of the Challenge Sprint Pro at the Canadian national championships, used his experience of the format to try his luck. “It’s an event that these guys don’t train on specifically. So I thought I had as  good a chance as anyone,” said the Canadian, delighted to end his season on such a high note.

Favourite Coquard admitted he had probably been “trapped at his own game”. “I had decided to stay behind and to wait for the right moment to start my sprint but when I did, Canning had already gone,” he said.

But the Frenchman added he was fully motivated for Friday’s Grand Prix du Quebec: “It rained today so many riders did not have a chance to ride. For us, it was a great way to heat up for tomorrow. I have great ambitions for tomorrow’s Grand Prix.”

It was the second time in four editions that a Canadian stole the show in the curtain raiser of the GPCQM. In 2012, Zachary Bell had been the first local rider to win the event introduced by Serge Arsenault in 2011.

The weather may have been a factor as strong winds blew in the final stages of the event but rain, that had fallen all day, stopped just as the competition got underway.

Full results here.