The best bike tour I have done was based out of Quebec City. I absolutely loved it, because we drove to the start, had our own bikes, and felt like I was in France, not 8 hours from home. The day we were supposed to ride from the ferry to the Frontenac, where we stayed for 2 nights was pouring out, so i skipped riding the cobbles up the 15% grade. It was pretty hard just to walk it, in my bike shoes.
It sounds like those hills were tough. And that race looked awesome.