When the Canadian competitors in the Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec lined up for their group photo on Thursday afternoon, it was quickly decided that the class photo needed a bit of levity. "Qui va gagner à Québec." came the enthusiastic call. Astana's Ugo Uhl raised his arm in the center of the photo and grinned: "Mike Woods"

Since stepping up to the World Tour level in 2016, Michael Woods (EF Education First) has established himself as the standard bearer for Canadian cycling, His track record means he will carry the lion's share of home expectations in this weekend's races in Quebec and Montreal.

The Toronto native, who has not raced since his Tour de France debut at Clasica San Sebastian in early August, will be looking to make an impact on home roads, especially in the hilly, longer-distance event in Montreal on Sunday.

"Two more laps will change the nature of the course," Woods told Cycling News.

"Top-end hardman sprinters like Peter Sagan and Michael Matthews will have no problem with two more laps. But the riders who are supposed to control the race may not be there."

"In the past, the race came back to the very end for the sprints because there were only one or two riders left who could control it. This year, with the addition of two laps, the riders who normally control the sprint for the leader may not have that leg."

Woods, who normally lives in Andorra, took advantage of a recent break to return to Canada for the first time in 10 months. A six-week break at this time of year is a long time, but after the heavy spring and summer programs, it felt natural.

"I took a week off the bike. I needed that," Woods said. "The team has relied on me quite a bit this season to deliver big performances. So I took a week off and came back here and started training again. I've had a lot of people message me and say they want to catch up.

It has been three years since Woods last raced in Canada. At the time, Woods was running under 4 minutes for the mile. He is now a bicycle rider, with a stage win at the Vuelta a España and a bronze medal at the world championships.

Meanwhile, back home, his Tour de France debut this summer was matched only by Steve Bauer's feat of winning bronze in the world championship road race.

"I wasn't a cyclist before this race. This race has raised my profile, and I'm having a lot of fun," Woods said. I came back home a month ago and now I feel like a professional cyclist. I get stopped at grocery stores and asked if I'm Mike Woods.

In France, Woods suffered a fall that fractured two ribs, but he arrived in Paris in 32nd place overall. Rather than being discouraged, he left La Grande Boucle inspired.

"I came back thinking it was my favorite race. The race is great. I want to do it again." But because of that crash, I felt a little underwhelmed. I think I could have done better, but due to some bad luck I couldn't."

In the closer future, Woods' thoughts will soon turn to the World Championships in Yorkshire on September 29. It may not be a course that will showcase his talents as well as Innsbruck, Austria last year, but his ambitions are undiminished. Whether it be in Canada, Yorkshire, or Il Lombardia, the 32-year-old is eager to start 2019 with a win.

"This course [Yorkshire] is very difficult and I think it will be like Amstel Gold. 'Obviously it's not a very good course for me, but it's still not a bad course. I'm hoping to do as well as I did in last year's race, but it's going to be a little bit harder."

"I think I've been really good and consistent this season, but I haven't had the big wins that I was looking for. But with the lineup of races left - Quebec, Montreal, the World Championships, and the Italian Classic - there is still a chance for a big win."