The 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montreal, Canada may be reserved for the sport’s elite, but the day before racing begins, the courses belong to everyone else.
On Saturday 19 September 2026, the Rando Vélo Beneva opens the official World Championship circuits to the general public, giving up to 6,000 registered participants the chance to ride on the same fully closed, secured roads the world’s best will compete on for rainbow jerseys.
Four route options cater to all abilities: 10 km and 20 km loops suited to families and beginners, a 40 km route that mirrors the elite time trial course, and a 70 km challenge for those wanting to ride like the pros — though they will battle for 273 km. The rides route through southern Island Montreal, the Old Port, and Parc Jean-Drapeau — notably bypassing the punishing Mont-Royal climbs reserved for the pros.
The event doubles as the official opening of the championships. Participants will join the parade that kicks off the Opening Ceremony, making the ride as much civic celebration as sportive.
Organising committee president Sébastien Arsenault framed the ride as a community milestone: a chance for participants to be part of a historic moment, whether riding as a family, with friends, or chasing a personal challenge.
Montreal last hosted the UCI Road World Championships in 1974, the first edition ever held outside Europe. The 2026 edition runs from Saturday 20 to Sunday 27 September, with 13 events across eight days. Registration for the Rando Vélo Beneva is open now at montreal2026.org, with places strictly limited.
Photo Credit: Mondiaux Montréal 2026
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