 The route for the race consisted of 21 laps that totaled for 262 @.@ 5 km ( 163 @.@ 1 mi ) of racing , with each lap being 12 @.@ 5 km ( 7 @.@ 8 mi ) in length . Each circuit featured two climbs within it , including a cross of Mount Royal . The route for the race navigated through the Université de Montréal campus . Several sports writers deemed the route to be difficult . The race began at 9 AM local time . 
