Eastern Canada - Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal, viewing and hotel

Hello all, looking for some advice for my trip up for the big race.

Despite growing up in Upstate NY I have only been to Montreal once for a day trip. However my girlfriend and I love the city. When I found out about the GP I decided to plan another trip up.

For the race:
First question is on viewing the race. Where can I find info about where team buses are?
How early do you have to be at the finish line to get a seat in the bleachers they have set up?
Is there a better place to watch the race then the start/finish?

Hotel:
What is a decent hotel that would have easy access to the race? So far the Le St-Martin Hotel Centre-Ville seems to be my top choice. But if anyone has better suggestions for around the same price let me know!

Food:
Any recommendations for a nice place to eat a fancy dinner that isn't a tourist place. Last time we were there we ended up at tourist restaurant, and since my girlfriend loves fine dining I was hoping to do better this time.

Side information: We both speak some French, although I definitely know more then my girlfriend as she focused on Italian and spent a semester abroad in Rome, pushing her high school French to the background.

I will have a car with me and parking is going to be important.

This is my first pro bike race ever, so general advice is welcome as well.

Thanks!

Hello all, looking for some advice for my trip up for the big race.


For the race:
First question is on viewing the race.

> Where can I find info about where team buses are?

The teams are set up in a large tent opposite the stage on Park Avenue. Only sponsors and 100 people who pay 1000$ each have access to the team areas.

>How early do you have to be at the finish line to get a seat in the bleachers they have set up?

The bleachers are reserved for sponsors and people invited by the organizers + the 100 who pay a grand. I *****ed a lot about this last year b/c the bleachers were virtually empty during the race.

>Is there a better place to watch the race then the start/finish?

Watch the introductions at the start line and then walk over to the big climb on the mountain which is an easy walk. Last year I walked most of the course in order to see the various good spots.

Hotel:
What is a decent hotel that would have easy access to the race? So far the Le St-Martin Hotel Centre-Ville seems to be my top choice. But if anyone has better suggestions for around the same price let me know!

Food:
Any recommendations for a nice place to eat a fancy dinner that isn't a tourist place. Last time we were there we ended up at tourist restaurant, and since my girlfriend loves fine dining I was hoping to do better this time.


Lots of fine, reasonably priced dining on St. Dennis, St. Laurent or Mount Royal Ave. Lots of ethnic foods.

Side information: We both speak some French, although I definitely know more then my girlfriend as she focused on Italian and spent a semester abroad in Rome, pushing her high school French to the background.

Getting a French girl friend is a rapid method of improving your French.

I will have a car with me and parking is going to be important.

Forget about a car as traffic in the area is totally cut off by the race. Take the orange line subway to Mount Royal Avenue and then walk West 10 minutes to the race.

This is my first pro bike race ever, so general advice is welcome as well.

Bring water and snacks as the race is about 5 hours. Lots of good viewing spots as you can walk or ride the course and get really close to the riders.

The Canadian equivalent of Interbike is on that same weekend and is open to the public on Saturday only from 10am to 6 pm at the Palais Congress. I expect some of the riders will be signing autographs.

Thanks!

Jim

Anybody got a link to the startlist for Montreal?

edit: found it
http://www.cyclingfever.com/editie.html?_ap=startlijst&editie_idd=MjE1NTc=

edit2: wth, I thought Schleck brothers were coming

Andy was, backed out for wisdom tooth surgery.