I’m looking for tips on being a spectator at a live UCI road race. I will be at both GPCQM races in September - my first in-person world tour races! How early should I arrive at the team presentation (9:50am Quebec City, 9:05am Montreal) to get a decent view? What’s your best advice for securing some autographs? I’m thinking of printing copies of the startlist for the riders to sign. Is it worth wading into the crowds at the start/finish line to view the race?
I’d love to hear your stories of the first race you attended and what made it fun for you.
For autographs in Montreal , you may be best served by hanging out at the hotel before the race, or even on Saturday when they go out on training rides. I believe they’re staying at the Delta Hotel on Doctor Penfield Ave.
I’ve never gotten there for the team presentation, but I would think you can get a good view (although across the street, 6 lanes and a median…). Don’t think the start finish gets crowded that early.
Got there (quebec) early enough to have breakfast on the corner closest to the start line, maybe 8 am? Team presentation we were super close, and they just roll in and wait on the street behind the stage so maybe bach there for autographs…its the awards where you can’t get close without access (if we understood correctly). We had a tip that the riders ride on that eastern island the day previous…then ride the Montreal course the day before that. Fans perch like blackbirds at the bottom of the big climb hoping to get on the wheel of their favorite pros. Super fun. We hung out by the starting line in Montreal and a few riders stopped, but not many. Big tip, bring a kid! Pogi stopped right next to us and signed a pre-teen’s poster, just like that!