Hugo Houle

The Canadian wins the attack-riddled 16th stage across the French Pyrénées while Jonas Vingegaard fends off Tadej Pogačar.

Jorgenson slid out on a left-hander with about 12km to go to lose his chances for victory, but he was able to continue in the chase. Woods gave chase with under 70km to go and about six riders gelled together at the front. A long descent brings the peloton to the Cat. 1 Col de Val Louron at 109.5km. The steep final climb should produce some fireworks, with Romain Bardet the last winner in 2017. Nearly 30 riders pulled clear, including Simon Geschke (Cofidis) racing to protect his lead in the King of the Mountains jersey. Bardet was also losing time and sliding backward on the GC. I worked 10 to 12 years to get the win for him. Jorgenson and Woods chased over the summit at 25 seconds back. I know if I go to the top with 30-40 seconds, maybe I could do it. On the technical section I gained some more time, when they said 1 minute, I knew I was going to do it. Teammate and compatriot Michael Woods crossed the line third, with Valentin Madouas (Groupama-FDJ) in second. “I never won a race, so I guess it’s the right place to win my first race,” Houle said.

FOIX, France — Canadian rider Hugo Houle of Sainte-Perpetue, Que., has won Stage 16 of the Tour de France. He is the first Canadian to win a Tour de France stage since Steve Bauer in 1988. More to come. This report by The Canadian Press was first ...

He was third in Stage 8 of last year's race. Houle, from Sainte-Perpetue, Que., realized that dream when he raced to his first Grand Tour stage win on Tuesday, and the first stage win by a Canadian at the Tour de France in 34 years. It's the second podium finish for Houle at this year's Tour. He finished third in Stage 13 on Friday. FOIX, France — Hugo Houle pointed at the sky as he crossed the finish line well ahead of the competition in Stage 16 of the Tour de France. Canadian rider Hugo Houle of Sainte-Perpetue, Que., has won Stage 16 of the Tour de France. He is the first Canadian to win a Tour de France stage since Steve Bauer in 1988. Steve Bauer, now sporting director at Israel-Premier Tech, captured the opening stage of the Tour in 1988.

Ahead, the Canadian Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) raced into Foix to take his first Tour stage win, and his team's second in this year's race. An emotional ...

Ahead, the Canadian Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) raced into Foix to take his first Tour stage win, and his team’s second in this year’s race. “This one’s for my brother,” he said after crossing the line. They were followed by a further jump almost immediately on the descent towards the final climb, the Mur de Péguère.

The Canadian finished over a minute ahead of Matteo Jorgenson and his teammate Michael Woods.

At the base of the final climb of Mur de Péguère - a 9.1km climb at 7.8% - Hugo Houlle (Israel-Premier Tech) attacked. By the time Jorgenson caught up with Woods, the pair were 45 seconds behind with 8km to go on the stage. Indeed, an attack by Damiano Caruso (Bahrain-Victorious) opened up a gap, with Michael Storer (Groupama-FDJ) and Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) joining him 5km later. Straggling riders from the breakaway were soon caught during this period, with David Gaudu (Groupama-FDJ) then trying his luck. He did manage to get back on the bike, but had lost a lot of time to Houle. Meanwhile, Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) launched multiple attacks on both the ascents and descents of the stage, but Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) answered each one with a compelling response. A descent of 25km remained at this stage. Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels-KTM) then decided to attack from the break solo, and, with 30km gone, the Frenchman had built up 50 seconds. Matteo Jorgenson (Movistar) and Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) gave chase, but a crash by Jorgenson during the fast descent allowed Houle to extend his lead out front. Stage 16 started with 29 riders forming a breakaway, which largely remained the order of the day. Houle's stage 16 victory is his first win on the WorldTour, let alone at a Grand Tour. His attack managed to stick, though, and upon reaching the summit he had a 26-second time advantage.

Houle, of Sainte-Perpetue, Que., finished in a time of four hours 23 minutes 47 seconds to become just the second Canadian rider to win a stage on the Tour.

He was third in Stage 8 of last year’s race. Wednesday’s 17th stage is an even tougher day in the Pyrenees with three top classified climbs, as well as a second-category ascent, on the 129.7-kilometre route from Saint-Gaudens with a summit finish at the ski resort of Peyragudes. It’s the second podium finish for Houle at this year’s Tour. He finished third in Stage 13 on Friday. Canadian rider Hugo Houle pointed at the sky as he crossed the finish line well ahead of the competition in Stage 16 of the Tour de France. Steve Bauer, now sporting director at Israel-Premier Tech, captured the opening stage of the Tour in 1988. Houle, from Sainte-Perpétue, Que., realized that dream when he raced to his first Grand Tour stage win on Tuesday, and the first stage win by a Canadian at the Tour de France in 34 years.

Hugo Houle is the first Canadian to win a Tour de France stage since Steve Bauer in 1988.

He was third in Stage 8 of last year’s race. Today that one is for him. The 31-year-old had crested the final climb with a 25-second advantage and his task was made easier when American cyclist Matteo Jorgenson — who was second at the time and in hot pursuit — slipped out on a corner, leaving only Woods with a realistic chance of catching his compatriot and teammate. “I had one dream: win the stage for my brother who died when I turned professional. Houle had plenty of time to reach his arms out in celebration on the approach to the line and point to the sky in memory of his brother, Pierrick, who was killed 10 years ago in a drunk-driving accident while out running. FOIX, France — Hugo Houle pointed at the sky as he crossed the finish line well ahead of the competition in Stage 16 of the Tour de France.

Canadian rider Hugo Houle has won Stage 16 of the Tour de France. Houle, of Sainte-Perpetue, Que., finished in a time of four hours 23 minutes 47 seconds to ...

He was third in Stage 8 of last year's race. Not one, but TWO Canadians 🇨🇦 in the Top 3 of stage 16 of the @LeTour 🚴♂️🚴♂️ 👏

🥇 for @HugoHoule
➕ 🥉 for @rusty_woods

Winning is great, but sharing the podium with a friend is even better 👯♂️ pic.twitter.com/787B5NXpch— @TeamCanada Houle, from Sainte-Perpétue, Que., realized that dream when he raced to his first Grand Tour stage win on Tuesday, and the first stage win by a Canadian at the Tour de France in 34 years. ⭐️VICTORY ⭐️@HugoHoule has won stage 16 of the Tour de France @LeTour 🤩

With this he becomes just the second Canadian in history to achieve this feat 🙌pic.twitter.com/iQDopbXv9D— @TeamCanada It's the second podium finish for Houle at this year's Tour. He finished third in Stage 13 on Friday. Hugo Houle pointed at the sky as he crossed the finish line well ahead of the competition in Stage 16 of the Tour de France.

Israel-Premier Tech places two Canadian riders on podium in the Tour's first day in the Pyrenees.

Pogačar's teammate Rafał Majka kept them in check but came to an abrupt stop after snapping his chain. Tony Gallopin (Trek-Segafredo) attacked to try and catch Houle, with Caruso, Madouas and Woods chasing. In the last kilometre of the Port de Lers, Pogačar threw his gloves down and sprinted away from Vingegaard twice. Jorgenson wisely sat up and let the French duo contest the Col de l'Espinas on their own, where Gougeard left Burgaudeau behind. Jumbo-Visma put green jersey Wout van Aert in the move, Ineos Grenadiers launched Dani Martínez and Pogačar's team had Brandon McNulty there. Their departure left AG2R Citroën with only three riders: Benoît Cosnefroy, Stan De Wulf and stage 9 winner Bob Jungels. Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) tried to land a knock-out blow on the Port de Lers but found a well-armored Jonas Vingegaard well-supported by his Jumbo-Visma teammates. Today I got my win for him. Houle dedicated the win to his brother Pierrick, who died after being struck by a drunk driver in 2012 while out for a run. Image 1 of 35 Image 1 of 35 Image 1 of 35

Hugo Houle took an emotional victory on stage 16 of the Tour de France while Tadej Pogacar was unable to land any punches on Jonas Vingegaard in the yellow ...

“I’ve never won a race so I guess it’s the right place to win my first,” Houle said. “Yatesy was really good,” Thomas said. “I means a lot to me,” he said.

Canada's Hugo Houle won Stage 16 on Tuesday at the Tour de France, while Jonas Vingegaard maintained his overall lead and the yellow jersey as the race ...

I will always try . it's going to be interesting tomorrow and the day after.'' Today that one is for him. Houle had plenty of time to reach his arms out in celebration on the approach to the line and point to the sky in memory of his brother, Pierrick, who was killed 10 years ago in a drunk-driving accident while out running.

Canada's Hugo Houle broke away to win stage 16 and said the victory was for his brother Pierrik, who died in a hit-and-run in 2012.

“He went for a run and he never came back,” the Canadian told a sombre press room. “The most important thing for the next two days is to give everything to support Jonas and the team,” Van Aert insisted. But the story of the day was that of Houle and his beloved lost brother. Van Aert argued that his decision to race in the break was to ensure Vingegaard had support if he needed it. That was my motivation, to do it for my little brother. “I wanted to win a stage in his honour.

A little under ten years ago, Hugo Houle lost his brother Pierrick in a hit-and-run incident in their native village of Sainte-Perpétue, midway between Montreal ...

“That was my motivation, to win for my little brother,” Houle said. “I'm happy I can win for the Canadians and I’m also happy I had Steve Bauer behind me in the car. Houle had Woods for company in the break of the day on Tuesday, and his compatriot would place third on the stage to complete a remarkable afternoon for Canadian cycling. “I remember I was in Paris-Roubaix, and I just didn't know what I was doing because I was pretty shocked from this event. A few weeks later, Houle was on a flight to France, to begin his WorldTour career at AG2R La Mondiale. For those first months as a professional, he was present in body rather than in spirit and it showed in his results. A little under ten years ago, Hugo Houle lost his brother Pierrick in a hit-and-run incident in their native village of Sainte-Perpétue, midway between Montreal and Quebec. Grief has been a companion in all the days since then.

Canada's Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech) took an emotional win on Stage 16 of the Tour de France.

“I hung on and was suffering so badly on the steep climb. I worked so hard for 10 years and today I got my win for him. He was 19.

Hugo Houle had never won a race in his 12 years as a professional but on Tuesday the Canadian prevailed on the sport's biggest stage, realising his dream of ...

"My brother was my biggest fan. "It was a dream for my brother; I wanted to win a stage in his honour. "My brother was hit and run in a small village where we lived.

Hugo Houle vowed to win a Tour stage for his brother. The Canadian stalwart did that and much more with stunning solo win on Tuesday's stage.

“The plan was to have me and Woods in the breakaway if we could,” Houle said. It could prove just as important for Israel Premier Tech in seasons to come. “It’s not every day you can have the chance to win. We have more and more Canadians on the WorldTour thanks to our team and Premier Tech and Premier Tech development team. “Of course when things like this happen in life, it takes a few months to move on, move forward,” he said. In the end it turned out I stayed away, so Mike was just surfing behind.”

Hugo Houle, 450 m from his first pro win, knew he had it, even if he probably didn't believe it. The camera moto pulled alongside, and Houle pulled an ...

Most of all, a win for someone that didn’t get to see it, but seemed to be looking down on his big brother in Foix today. It’s also the latest peak in a rollercoaster Tour that has seen a stage win from Simon Clarke early in the race, Chris Froome’s resurgent third place finish on Alpe d’Huez, Clarke leaving the race with COVID, and now, an unlikely winner from the breakaway in the Pyrenees. Smiling, Froome explained the significance of the moment. Houle held that advantage all the way down, and when Jorgenson crashed out, it briefly looked like a Canadian (and Israel-Premier Tech) one-two with a Canadian directing it. You have to go back to 1988 to find the last Tour de France stage won by a Canadian – Steve Bauer, a man that was today sitting in the Israel–Premier Tech team car as directeur sportif. The finish line, and a changed life, was right there in front of him.