It was held on 15 September 2013, over a distance of 205.7 km (127.8 mi), starting and finishing in Montréal, Quebec, Canada.

The race is one of only two events which are part of the World Tour calendar in North America, the other one being the 2013 Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec contested two days prior.

A Canadian national squad also competed in the race, and as such, formed the event's 21-team peloton.

The circuit, around the main campus of the Université de Montréal, was well-suited for climbers and punchers with three climbs per lap.

The finish was on an uphill climb with a small gradient of 4%, that was located on Avenue du Parc.