Remco Evenepoel has arrived in Canada with a very specific objective in mind. The Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe rider will be at the start of the Quebec Grand Prix on September 11 and the Montreal Grand Prix on September 13, two WorldTour events that represent the final real tests before the Montreal World Championships. The elite road race is scheduled for September 27, while the world time trial will take place on September 20.

The Belgian, fresh from his victory at the Clásica San Sebastián, has chosen to arrive in Canada early to become familiar with the environment, courses, and climatic conditions. The two races are therefore not the true objective of his trip, but represent a fundamental part of his preparation for the World Championships.

"For me, these races are entirely focused on what awaits me - Evenepoel explained upon his arrival in Canada - They will also be my first races after the Clásica San Sebastián, so they will serve as preparation. We'll see how it goes. Of course I have ambitions, but the main event is in a few weeks".

However, the Belgian champion doesn't hide the importance of being able to race again in Canada, especially since he hasn't raced on these roads for several years. "I haven't raced here in a long time, so it's an advantage to be able to come and test the course. We'll give our best".

The value of this choice was also explained by Klaas Lodewyck, sports director of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. According to the Belgian coach, Evenepoel arrives in Canada in ideal conditions after a preparation phase built with great care.

"He is exactly where he should be at this time of year" Lodewyck explained when asked about the Belgian's condition.

After his success at the Clásica San Sebastián, Evenepoel took a week of rest before spending over three weeks at altitude in Livigno. His second-place finish at the Tour de France also confirmed the solidity reached by the Belgian, who can now focus on the last major appointment of the season. And precisely for this reason, the early trip to Canada could become an important weapon.

"We always schedule a preparatory race ahead of the World Championships. Last year it was the Tour of Britain; this year, these Canadian races. Plus, we can stay here".

The transfer was not straightforward: approximately seven and a half hours of flight, three hours by bus, and a six-hour time difference. A journey that, according to Lodewyck, can heavily impact a rider's physical condition.

"Being here almost two weeks before the world time trial is a luxury. We can acclimatize, fine-tune the details, and regain race rhythm in the meantime. Does this impact those who arrive later? I don't know. But it's certainly a small advantage".

Evenepoel's schedule is therefore very precise. First the Quebec Grand Prix on Friday, September 11, then the transfer to Montreal for Sunday's race on September 13.

In 2019, in his first year as a professional, Evenepoel had already raced both events, but achieved results that were anything but memorable: 99th in Quebec and 53rd in Montreal. He hasn't returned to race them since.

This time, however, the significance of his presence is completely different. The Montreal Grand Prix will allow him to race a significant portion of the course that will host the World Championships two weeks later. And Evenepoel won't be the only major favorite to take advantage of this opportunity: riders like Tom Pidcock, Paul Seixas, and Isaac Del Toro will also have the chance to test themselves on the world championship circuit.

The Montreal race could therefore offer a first indication of the balance of power ahead of September 27. "I don't think there will be a cat-and-mouse game between the favorites on Sunday - Lodewyck explained - The Montreal course is so tough that the race will be fair anyway. Moreover, if you have the chance to win a WorldTour race, you don't let it slip away. Certainly not Remco. He wants to win every race he participates in".

But before thinking about the Montreal race, the team wants to understand what the Quebec Grand Prix will say. "Let's wait and see how Friday's race in Quebec goes first".

One element that could completely change the scenario of the two Canadian races is the absence of Tadej Pogačar. The Slovenian, who seemed destined to be one of the major protagonists of the season's finale, was forced to withdraw from the Vuelta a España after a crash. His absence could make the Canadian races much more open from a tactical perspective.

"If Pogačar were at the start, you'd know his team would maintain a relentless pace all day - Lodewyck observed - When Pogačar launches his attack, the choice is between following him or finding your own rhythm".

Without the great Slovenian favorite, however, the script could change. "Now things will be different. Of course, the group of starters remains high-level: Seixas and Del Toro are certainly not amateurs. But the race becomes more open, more tactical. And it offers Remco a bit more freedom".

A freedom that could allow Evenepoel to play a different card than usual. "In other situations, you always have to keep an eye on Pogačar; now instead you can try to invent something. There's no risk of suffering a devastating counterattack from him".

The Montreal circuit, however, doesn't leave much room for energy management specialists. Lodewyck even compares it to one of the hardest classics on the calendar.

"The course is really demanding. You could compare it, in a sense, to Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Continuous intense efforts, recovery, and then intense efforts again... On Sunday we'll understand who has the legs to handle such high paces".

For this reason, the result of the Montreal Grand Prix could be an important indication ahead of the World Championships, even if not necessarily definitive.

"In a sense, yes," Lodewyck replied when asked if the winner of Montreal could automatically become one of the favorites for the world title. "We'll find many of the same protagonists anyway".

But there will be substantial differences between the WorldTour race and the World Championships. In Montreal, the race will be for club teams, while on September 27, national teams will take center stage. Moreover, the world championship race won't be limited to the local circuit. The World Championships will also include approximately 100 initial kilometers around Quebec City before tackling the twelve laps of the Montreal circuit.

"This adds at least an hour and a half of racing to the World Championships," Lodewyck explained. An apparently easy section, but one that could make a difference when the decisive moment arrives. "And even if that section might seem flat, it still takes its toll on the legs. After all, the first hundred kilometers of the Tour of Flanders are also easy, but if they were eliminated, many more riders would be in contention for the top ten".

The sports director's conclusion is clear: "The World Championships will be even harder than Sunday's Grand Prix". Evenepoel will therefore stay in Canada for almost three weeks, transforming this trip into a genuine specific preparation phase.

After the Quebec Grand Prix, he will transfer to Montreal for the September 13 Grand Prix and should also take advantage of the following days to conduct an initial reconnaissance of the world time trial course.

Subsequently he will move to Bromont, a ski resort about an hour and a half from Montreal, where the Belgian federation has set up a base for its riders.

Evenepoel will return to Montreal around September 18, while September 19 is scheduled for the official reconnaissance of the time trial course. September 20 will be the first major appointment: the race against the clock. Then back to Bromont, before returning to Montreal in the days immediately preceding the road race on September 27.

Finally, September 28 is scheduled for the return to Belgium. At that point, the balance of the Canadian trip could be very important. Evenepoel could return home with one or even two world jerseys. But for now, the Belgian doesn't want to look too far ahead.

Quebec and Montreal are above all two stages of approach, two opportunities to understand where his condition stands and to learn a course that in a few weeks could give him one of the most important days of his career. "Of course I have ambitions - Evenepoel said - But the main event is in a few weeks and we still have to wait".