Of the three Quebecers who took the start of the individual time trial of the first stage of the Tour of the Basque Country, Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) was the fastest on Monday on the 7.5 kilometer course in the streets of Hondarribia.
Posted at 3:10 p.m.
The reigning Canadian champion in the solo effort stopped the clock at 10 minutes 26 seconds, good for 38and rank, 38 seconds behind the winner, the Slovenian and Olympic champion in the specialty, Primoz Roglic (Jumbo-Visma).
The latter beat the Belgian Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl) by 5 seconds in this event where Antoine Duchesne (Groupama-FDJ) finished 95and (+56 seconds) and James Piccoli (Israel-Premier Tech) 128and (+1 minute 10 seconds).
“My time was good in general. I was maybe a little conservative on the descents, acknowledged Houle. It was still a fairly technical course with three very steep climbs of 2 minutes, 2 minutes and a half, which was perhaps not ideal for me, but rather for the punchers. But all in all, I’m satisfied with my effort. »
This is the first time in 12 years among professionals that Hugo Houle is at the start of this event presented in the north of Spain.
“It’s a demanding uphill race and we’ll see how the form develops,” he added.
His presence in Spain was not planned, because he was to be at the Tour of Flanders presented the day before, except that his team withdrew two days before the competition because of too many injured or sick riders.
During this race which will conclude on Saturday in Arrate, the athlete from Sainte-Perpétue plans to save some days in order to bet everything for a stage victory.
Tuesday’s stage will connect the towns of Leitza and Viana. Three second and third category passes will punctuate the 208 kilometer route.