Question of staying away from the anticipated action in the peloton, Hugo Houle chose to join the breakaway during the fourth stage of Paris-Nice. The day was not easy for the cyclist from Israel–Premier Tech, who was not at the top of his game on Wednesday.
The French Lilian Calmejane (Intermarché – Circus – Wanty) and the German Maurice Ballerstedt (Alcepin – Deceuninck) were the first to flee after having traveled about thirty kilometers. Without delay, they were joined by five runners, including Hugo Houle.
“There was a bit of rain and a lot of wind, so there was a risk of edges and I decided to attack,” the Quebecer told Sportcom. I was planning to go in front so it would be a little quieter. »
Their lead over the peloton rose to more than 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Houle was caught 19 kilometers from the finish, shortly before the rest of the breakaway.
“I was with a very strong group, but we quickly understood that we were not going to play for victory today. I got up and I did not insist too much. I will try to go back there this week, there will be other great opportunities,” added Houle, disappointed with his feelings.
The one who contracted a cold after the Tour of Andalusia felt limited in his breathing on Wednesday on the 167.7 kilometer route. The cold temperatures and the rain of the last few days didn’t make it any easier for him either, but he hung on.
“I pushed a little to stay with the colleagues and resist. When I go into the breakaway, I’m not one to give up. I pushed for honor and to get to a certain limit. When the peloton arrived, I understood that I had to join them for the last kilometers. »
Winner of the last Tour de France, the Dane Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) attacked in the last climb of the day, the ski resort La Loge des Gardes, with 4 kilometers to go. His Slovenian rival Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) answered the call. The show did not last very long and the two leaders were quickly taken over.
Then came the turn of Frenchman David Gaudu to try his luck. Unlike Vingegaard, who was unable to follow, Pogacar managed to catch up with the Groupama-FDJ rider. The double champion of the Grande Boucle finally had the last word to win at 1077 meters above sea level. He thus seizes the yellow jersey.
On the strength of his second place (+1 second), David Gaudu is now second in the provisional general classification, 10 seconds from the lead.
Hugo Houle ranked 66e (+10 minutes and 51 seconds) and climbs to 62e cumulative step. Britain’s Stephen Williams was the first Israel–Premier Tech cyclist to finish the race, at 43e rank, 5 minutes and 1 second behind the winner.
The 81e edition of Paris-Nice will continue on Thursday. The fifth stage will be presented over 212.4 kilometers and will take the competitors to Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux, a village where Hugo Houle lived for a long time with Antoine Duchesne.