Neil Davidson
Hugo Houle, of Ste-Perpetue, Que., raises his arms as the top Canadian finish at the Grand Prix cycliste de Quebec, in Quebec City, Friday, Sept. 13, 2019. Houle placed 15th. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
January 29, 2021 - 10:09 AM
Veteran Quebec rider Hugo Houle, a member of the Astana-Premier Tech team, has long carried Canadian colours on the world cycling stage.
But he has also fought for the sport back home.
The 30-year-old from Sainte-Perpetue, Que., blasted Cycling Canada after the UCU Road World Championships in Imola, Italy, last September for lack of support for road cyclists.
"I think Hugo really lit a fire in Cycling Canada," said Ottawa's Michael Woods, who rides for the Israel Start-Up Nation team. "It's opened some eyes and it's got people more excited to be involved in road (cycling). It's had the right people asking the right questions now.