In the Footsteps of the Champions: Four Road Routes to Experience the 2026 UCI World Championships in Montreal
On September 20, Montreal will become, for eight days, the epicenter of the global cycling world. The 2026 UCI Road World Championships will be held there for the first time since 1974, the year the city made history by hosting the World Championships outside of Europe for the very first time.
More than 1,000 athletes from over 75 countries will compete in 13 events—including time trials and road races—before an audience of more than 200 million television viewers across 150 countries. Up to 500,000 spectators are expected at the venues: it will be, quite simply, the largest sporting event held in Montreal since the 1976 Olympic Games. For Quebec, which has seen its own athletes and cycling culture flourish alongside the Grands Prix Cyclistes de Québec and de Montréal, hosting such an event is a rare privilege and a source of immense collective pride.
With two weeks to go before the kickoff, here are four road routes across Quebec to test your fitness and leg strength just like the champions. Challenges, elevation gain, and a bit of adrenaline are on the menu, but we always keep the essentials in mind: the joy of riding and discovering the richness of our region. Along the way, there are several gourmet stops where you can refuel, sample local delicacies, and treat yourself between pedal strokes.
1. The Champions Circuit
Region: Montégérie
Distance: 48 km
Elevation gain: 127 m
As the highlight of this selection, the Circuit des Champions follows a section of the course that the Elite Men’s riders will race on Sunday, September 27. Designed by Tourisme Montérégie, this 48-km loop connects Chambly to Mont-Saint-Hilaire, taking riders through historic sites, along the river, past orchards, and by cafés and microbreweries, all against a backdrop of mountain views. The Chemin de la Montagne, in particular, offers a memorable experience: rows of apple trees, scenic views of the region, and a quintessentially Montérégie atmosphere. Here, you’ll ride in the footsteps of an international sporting event, but above all, through one of Quebec’s most beautiful fruit-growing regions. Cyclists looking for an extra challenge can also explore two longer routes suggested by Tourisme Montérégie: a 74-km loop starting from the Quartier DIX30 in Brossard—the actual starting point of the 2026 Men’s Elite race—or a 68-km circuit extending all the way to Rougemont.
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The suggested starting point is La Croisée des Chemins, a cultural pub and craft brewery in Chambly where confit duck is served alongside about twenty craft beers on tap—the perfect meeting spot… after a workout! Right next door, Délires et Délices invites you to take a tasting break on an enchanting terrace in the heart of downtown, where you can enjoy on-site brewed beers and sangri-beer.
It’s also impossible to visit Chambly without stopping at the Fort Chambly National Historic Site, a testament to Quebec’s military history since 1665. Further on, in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Les Vergers Petit et Fils - Vignoble continues its tradition of apple and cider production while embarking on a new wine-making adventure at the foot of the mountain. And to end the outing on a sweet note, La Cabosse d’Or Chocolaterie in Otterburn Park has been crafting Belgian chocolate according to traditional methods since 1986, complete with tastings and an outdoor terrace.
2. The Saint-François River Loop
Region: Centre-du-Québec
Distance: 78 km
Elevation gain: 207 m
In Centre-du-Québec, the Saint-François River Loop offers a 78-km ride along the river, starting in Drummondville. The route follows the Saint-François River through vast landscapes bordered by water and forest, dotted with peaceful riverside villages. Along the way, take a break by the water, then enjoy an inspiring exploration of Abenaki culture. On the way back, the adventure continues high in the trees with an aerial trail that the whole family will enjoy at the end of the day. The route, mostly paved and with gentle elevation changes, allows you to maintain a steady pace from start to finish: an ideal ride for intermediate cyclists who want to combine physical activity with expansive river views.
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To extend the experience beyond a single day, head to the ANF Motel in Drummondville. This “Bienvenue cyclistes!”-certified establishment offers renovated rooms, secure bike storage, a laundry room, and everything you need to set off refreshed the next morning—a true base camp for anyone who wants to explore the region at their own pace.
3. The Challenges of Sainte-Émélie
Region: Lanaudière
Distance: 65 km
Elevation gain: 723 m
For cyclists looking for a true test of their climbing skills, The Challenges of Sainte-Émélie is undoubtedly the most demanding route in this selection. This loop winds through the rolling hills of Lanaudière and offers stunning natural scenery, with dense forests and long climbs that offer little respite. The route follows the L’Assomption River and Lake Cloutier, offering numerous beautiful viewpoints well-earned through hard work. Halfway through, a swim break at the municipal beach in Sainte-Émélie-de-l’Énergie lets you cool off your legs before tackling the second half. This route is best suited for cyclists in good shape who want to experience, in their own way, what the most seasoned climbers feel.
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4. Lévis–Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly Loop
Region: Chaudière-Appalaches
Distance: 64 km
Elevation gain: 211 m
On the Route des Navigateurs, with the St. Lawrence River as a backdrop and Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly as your destination, it’s hard to imagine anything better. The Lévis–Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly Loop winds through an exceptional agrotourism region between the river and the countryside, where passionate producers and striking landscapes come together to make every kilometer a delight. Unsurprisingly, it’s also one of the most food-focused routes in this selection.
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In Lévis, you can stop by Alicia Sanchez, a gourmet food shop, for an instant journey through Spain, Italy, and the Mediterranean, complete with fine cured meats and cheeses. A little further on, Les Bleuets du Vire-Crêpes offers pick-your-own blueberries and blueberries in every form, from local products to ice cream.
La Ferme Genest, a family business spanning six generations, also invites you to pick your own produce and enjoy a picnic, while Ferme Phylum has something for everyone, from its award-winning cheese shop to its food truck serving grilled cheese, poutine, and wood-fired pizzas. Finally, in Saint-Antoine-de-Tilly, Fromagerie Bergeron elevates Gouda to the status of a masterpiece, to be enjoyed on-site at the dairy bar or right from the food truck: a well-deserved treat after the final few kilometers.
Ride in the Spirit of the World Championships
Four regions, four distinct atmospheres, one common thread: with two weeks to go before the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, these routes allow all road cycling enthusiasts to test themselves, in their own way, on the terrain that will make this historic event legendary. Whether you choose to ride in the very footsteps of the pros in Montérégie, test your endurance on the long straights of Centre-du-Québec, climb the hills of Lanaudière, or savor the river and the local character of Chaudière-Appalaches, every pedal stroke leads to a well-deserved discovery. And on September 27, when the world’s best cyclists cross the finish line on Avenue du Parc in Montreal, we’ll be able to share with them the pride of having risen to a challenge that was just right for us.