A first professional victory in an online race at 31 years old. This is the feat signed by the Canadian Hugo Houle, Tuesday July 19, on the 16th stage of the Tour de France between Carcassonne and Foix. The versatile runner from the Israel-Premier Tech formation, often confined to a team-mate role, materialized his efforts very well, offering a second victory to his formation on this 109th edition of the Grande Boucle.
It’s the first time a Canadian has won a Tour de France stage since 1988 with Steve Bauer. The Quebecer is ahead of the French Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ), and another Canadian from Israel-Premier Tech Michael Woods. Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar), who crashed on the descent, crossed the line in fourth position.
It was filled with emotion that the Canadian Hugo Houle arrived first in Foix. In memory of his brother, who died in December 2012 after being knocked down by a driver while jogging, he was carried by an external force on this stage. Recent third of the Saint-Etienne stage where he had already shown his good dispositions, this time he proved to be a climber and did not fail on the terrible percentages of the wall of Péguère.
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This is what it means. Pure emotion from our Canadians @HugoHoule and @rusty_woods #TDF2022 pic.twitter.com/ZrCzWiZcah
— Israel – Premier Tech / Israel Cycling Academy (@IsraelPremTech) July 19, 2022
After more than 45 kilometers alone, he won his first road race victory in Ariège. At 31, the Quebecer had twice won the national title, but against the clock. He did not hide his pride in going to conquer this first bouquet, which is moreover on the most prestigious cycling race in the world: “I had never won a stage and I think it’s a very nice place for a first”he said at the microphone of the international signal of the Tour de France.
On the side of the favorites, the big disappointment is to the credit of the Frenchman Romain Bardet (Team DSM), irretrievably dropped in the wall of Péguère. Fourth in the general classification at the start of the stage, the Auvergne climber fell back to ninth place, more than six minutes behind the leader. Brought back by his teammates Hamilton and Leknessund to the line, Bardet finally conceded 3’30 to the group of favorites.
David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ), also left behind in the wall of Péguère, was able to come back thanks to a spectacular descent. The Breton gains three places and finds himself fifth in the general classification. Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates), he tried to crack the yellow jersey, Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma), especially in the port of Lers, but the gap remains unchanged between the two men (2’22) .