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Simone Gualdi best young rider at Grand Prix de Québec

Simone Gualdi once again showed himself among the very best at the Grand Prix de Québec. The 21-year-old Italian from Lotto-Intermarché finished fourteenth today and stepped onto the podium afterwards as the best young rider. “Maybe the result on paper isn’t exceptional, but we can be proud of the race we rode here as a team.”
Race 12 September 2026
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Lotto-Intermarché showed itself early in the race. Jonas Rutsch was part of the breakaway of the day, spending 154 kilometres at the front of the race. “Perfect for us behind”, says Simone Gualdi, who was also active in the peloton. Together with Jenno Berckmoes, Gualdi followed the first dangerous move, but the group was caught again after one lap. “After ten laps, the race really opened up. What followed was a real race of attrition. Every lap, the pace on the climb got harder and harder, and fewer and fewer riders remained in the front group.”

“The final two laps were particularly hectic. It wasn’t just about having good legs anymore, but mainly about being there at the right moment when the decisive move went. Unfortunately, I was a little too far back when the decisive attack was made. In the end, I just tried to sprint for the best possible result.”

Gualdi eventually finished fourteenth, while Jenno Berckmoes took twelfth place. That made Simone Gualdi the best U23 rider in the final result and earned him a trip to the podium after the race. “Maybe the result on paper isn’t the very best, but I think we rode a good race. I’m curious to see what will be possible in Montréal on Sunday.”

 

Picture: PhotoNews