MONTREAL

Aussie Gerrans wins Quebec City cycling grand prix for second time

The Canadian Press Published Friday, September 12, 2014 8:51PM EDT

Simon Gerrans of Australia, centre, celebrates his victory ahead of second place, Tom Dumoulin, left, of the Netherlands and Ramunas Navardauska, right, of Lituania at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec, Friday, September 12, 2014 in Quebec City. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

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QUEBEC -- Simon Gerrans won in a sprint finish to post his second victory in three years at the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec on Friday.

The Australian from the Orica GreenEdge squad edged Dutchman Tom Dumoulin and Ramunas Navardauskas of Lithuania for the victory in a race that played out in the final kilometres.

Gerrans recovered from a mechanical problem that forced him to change bicycles only 20 kilometres from the finish.

"It's a special victory for me," said Gerrans. "I have good memories of my win here in 2012."

French rider Arthur Vichot of the FDJ team fell heavily during the final sprint and was taken to hospital. There was no immediate word on his injury.

Ryan Anderson of Edmonton, riding for Canada's national team, was the top Canadian in 27th place while Hugo Houle of Ste-Perpetue, Que., was 45th.

The 152 riders from 19 teams raced 11 laps around an 18-kilometre course that was modified from past years due to roadwork in the city centre. The changes flattened the course a little, favouring the sprinters over the climbers.

The early part of the race was highlighted by a long breakaway by Jan Polanc of Slovenia, Dennis van Winden of the Netherlands, Italian Moreno Moser and Yukiya Arashiro of Japan. The foursome led for 120 kilometres before they were caught by the peloton.

A second race is to be held Sunday in Montreal. The two one-day events are the only UCI WorldTour races held in North America.

It is the fifth edition of both races, and there was some disappointment that stars of past events like former Italian Giro winner Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria, B.C., Spaniard Alberto Contador, Dutchman Robert Gesink and Peter Sagan of Slovakia skipped them this year to race in the Spanish Vuelta.

However, reigning world champion Rui Costa of Portugal, winner of the 2011 race in Montreal, and six of the top 10 from the Tour de France are entered.