Under contract with Israel-Premier Tech until 2024, Hugo Houle does not think his historic victory in the 16e stage of the Tour de France will change anything in its status.
Posted at 4:40 p.m.
“They will have time to forget my victory by then! “, joked the 31-year-old cyclist, tongue-in-cheek, at the end of the 17e stage, Wednesday afternoon.
In the morning, Yves Lampaert, first yellow jersey of this Tour, explained how a single stage victory could change the trajectory of a rider like the Quebecer, more recognized for his role as a teammate.
“It’s fantastic for Hugo’s career,” said the Belgian from Quick-Step to FloBikes, official broadcaster of the Tour in Canada. “It boosts his career and gives him a different perspective. Everyone says it: winning a stage in the Tour is the greatest thing you can accomplish as a cyclist. And if you can do it like Hugo on the first day in the Pyrenees, hats off to him. »
Lampaert added that this success should “extend” his career and “give him more confidence”.
For the first part, the principal concerned does not expect repercussions on his future.
“For a runner at the end of his contract or who does not have a privileged situation like mine, it can have a major impact,” said Houle. Given my situation in Israel-Premier Tech and my long-term relationship with Premier Tech, I will probably have the chance to choose when I stop my career. It will be taken into account in negotiations, but there is no real stress on it. Anyway, it’s not complicated: as long as I’m having fun and want to run, I’m going to continue. When I have no more, it will be over. »
As for confidence, the benefits are twofold: “You have more respect in the team and they have more confidence in you. They know you’ve already won on a grand tour. When you’ve done it once, there’s more hope that you can do it again. It adds to our value as a runner. Not everyone wins stages.
“I’ve also been told that once you’ve done it, it’s an eye opener. It helps you be even better at getting results. »
The 31-year-old athlete was also able to measure his change in status after his victory, which he dedicated to the memory of his brother Pierrik, who died almost 10 years ago.
Presented before Wednesday’s start in Saint-Gaudens as the most combative rider of the day before, he won the compliments of Jonas Vingegaard (yellow jersey), Tadej Pogacar (white jersey) and Wout van Aert (green jersey) who accompanied on the line.
“I received a lot of congratulations in the peloton, from colleagues, from team managers. Really, I was surprised. Obviously not everyone knew about my brother. I know it touched a lot of people. »
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH
Hugo Houle (red bib) comes back to Antoine Duchesne (in the distance) in the climb of Peyragudes.
Although he slept relatively well under the circumstances, Houle felt his legs “a little stiffer” following his lonely 40km ride to Foix. He spent a good part of the day with his teammate Chris Froome, who did not insist after trying unsuccessfully to slip into a breakaway.
“I was in a good group and I finished at my pace without putting myself in the red too much. I felt that I had a little less energy, but the stage went well. »
In the final Peyragudes pass, he joined his friend Antoine Duchesne (Groupama-FDJ), whom he had seen in the distance. Swell is now pointing to 27e rank overall, one place behind Froome.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY ISRAEL-PREMIER TECH
Guillaume Boivin on a breakaway with the Welshman Owain Doull (EF) before the ascent of the Col d’Aspin
After an attempted breakaway in the Col d’Aspin, the first ascent of the day, Guillaume Boivin (IPT) returned home to the gruppetto just over 30 minutes away. Arrived 3e the day before, Michael Woods finished 72e 25 minutes away.