Yukon-born cyclist Zach Bell will return to competition this weekend after recovering from a broken collarbone and celebrating the birth of a daughter.

The 2014 Global Relay Canadian Road Cycling Championships road races are expected to be spectacular this year, with the top Canadian cyclists coming together in Lac-Mégantic, Que., to race for the coveted red and white jersey.

Bell, of Team Smartstop, is the reigning Canadian champion in the men's elite category. He will be making his return to competition after breaking a collarbone at the Tour of the Gila earlier this spring.

In addition, Bell's wife, Rebecca, just gave birth to a baby girl last week.

Bell will count on two teammates from Team Smartstop to help him repeat.

Victoria's Rob Britton, who is coming off a strong second-place result in the general classification at the difficult Tour de Beauce, and Calgary's Kris Dahl will be working to position Bell for the win.

But the title won't be easy to defend, with many other top Canadian riders also expected to be present on the start line.

There are many teams coming with a large delegation of riders, including the UCI continental teams in Garneau-Québécor and Silber Pro Cycling.

The men's road race will take place on Saturday, June 28.

In the time trial, expect a tight race between Svein Tuft, eight-time Canadian Time Trial Champion (2004-06; 08-12), Christian Meier, Bell, Hugo Houle, Rémi Pelletier-Roy, Ryan Roth and Matteo Dal-Cin. These riders excel in the time trial and should be solid contenders for the title.

Tuft was not present in 2013.

Time trialist Curtis Dearden of Victoria, B.C., is the defending Canadian champion in the time trial race after surprising everyone last year by winning the title. He will also compete this year.

The 2014 Global Relay Canadian Road Cycling Championships are taking place June 26 through July 5, in Lac-Mégantic, and Beauceville, Que.

Cyclists from all over Canada will race for the coveted title of Canadian champion in the road race, time trial and criterium races, earning the right to wear the red and white jersey for the next year.