Australian cycling star Simon Gerrans has become the first rider in history to win back-to-back Canadian grands prix.
Gerrans, 34, pulled off the double by backing up his weekend GP Quebec win with victory at the GP Montreal on Monday.
The Victorian bested Portugal's Rui Costa and Frenchman Tony Gallopin to claim the 205.7km world tour race in five hours, 24 minutes 27 seconds.
It's a welcome return to form for Gerrans, who had to withdraw from this year's Tour de France due to injuries suffered in a crash also involving British star Mark Cavendish.
"I have worked pretty hard after the Tour de France," the Orica-GreenEDGE rider said.
"(I) just tried to maintain things for the last few weeks leading into these races."
He credited the teamwork of the Australian outfit with getting him to the top of the podium.
After rebuilding his 2014 season, Gerrans had reconfirmed his status as one of the world's fastest riders, Orica-GreenEDGE sport director Matt Wilson said.
"We are all supremely confident in him," he said.
Gerrans is expected to ride next at the world road titles in Ponferrada, Spain, later this month.
GERRANS' WINNING WAYS IN 2014:
January
- National Road Race Championships (elite men's road race)
- Tour Down Under (overall, stage 1, sprint classification)
April
- Liege-Bastogne-Liege
September
- Quebec Grand Prix
- Montreal Grand Prix
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