June 05, 2014 (Quebec City, QC) – Returning in 2014 for its fourth edition, the very exciting Challenge Sprint Pro event will once again be featured on the calendar of events of the Grand Prix cycliste de Québec. This year, more Canadians will have the chance to race side-by-side with some of the World’s best sprinters.

During the Challenge Sprint Pro, thousands of spectators will gather along the short course to see the best tactical sprinters go head-to-head in an elimination format race with the two fastest sprinters of each heat advancing to the next round.

The event, which is contested on a 1km course on the streets of Old Québec and through the iconic Grande Allée, features one sprinter representing each of the participating teams of the Grand Prix cycliste de Québec, including the Canadian National Team.

Compared to the 2013 edition, a record number of Canadians will be selected to race the Challenge Sprint Pro event. This competition provides our Canadian athletes with a great opportunity to be exposed to WorldTour level riders and enhance their profiles.

Canadian riders will gain access to this star-studded event through top-two performances in the Criterium and Challenge Sprint events at the 2014 Canadian Road Championships in Lac Mégantic. In addition, a discretionary invitation will be issued from Cycling Canada to one rider.

“The event is without a doubt a fan-favorite, and very TV-friendly for the broadcasters. The ambiance is relaxed, and offers a small taste of what cycling is about. Road races ending with a sprint makes for a great atmosphere, and this Sprint Challenge replicates that feeling in every round,” said Mathieu Boucher, Director of Performance Development at Cycling Canada.

In 2013, Canada’s Zach Bell of North Vancouver, BC and local star Rémi Pelletier-Roy of Québec both advanced to the semi-finals. In 2012, Bell had won the Challenge Sprint Pro, racing with now defunct Team SpiderTech powered by C10, nabbing Pelletier-Roy at the finish line.

The Challenge Sprint Pro, sanctioned by Cycling Canada, is scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 11, in Quebec City, the day prior to the UCI World Tour race.