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Adaptation necessary for Boivin and Houle

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4 years ago

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Adaptation necessary for Boivin and Houle

Quebecers Guillaume Boivin and Hugo Houle had to adapt very quickly on Saturday at the start of Circuit Het Nieuwsbladun. Just hours before the race, the cyclists of Israel-Premier Tech learned that they were going to be deprived of the services of their leader, Sep Vanmarcke.

Vanmarcke was in bad shape when he woke up and gave up the 204-kilometre cobblestone race, where he had placed third last year. A lot of hope rested on his shoulders.

“It was a big loss for the team,” said Hugo Houle, a new member of Israel-Premier Tech. “It’s a shame, he’s an experienced rider who is capable of making the difference. It would have been fun for him to be with us today, but his health is a priority and he will come back stronger for the Classics. »

The formation was forced to reshuffle its cards. Instead, she was going to work for Guillaume Boivin and the Australian Simon Clarke.

Seven runners quickly escaped at the start of the day. Jumbo-Visma led the charge in the peloton for a good part of the race. The Belgian Wout van Aert, dominant in cyclo-cross in recent months, was part of a chasing group that broke away 30 kilometers from the finish to join the leaders.

The Belgian champion then attacked with 13 kilometers to go, at the foot of the Bosberg climb. He increased his lead and rode solo until the very end to win his very first race on the calendar.

The Italian Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain-Victorious, +22 seconds) was the strongest in the sprint for second place, ahead of the Belgian Greg Van Avermat (AG2R Citroën). Simon Clarke offered Israel-Premier Tech’s best performance. He fell 25 seconds behind to finish 11and.

Slowed down by COVID-19

Bovine (33and) and Swell (73and) both finished in the peloton 1 minute 30 seconds behind the winner. Antoine Duchesne (Groupama-FDJ), did not reach the finish on Saturday.

“I had my chance today, it wasn’t a good or a bad day. I see the glass half full and I tell myself that I am on the right track,” Guillaume Boivin told Sportcom.

The Canadian champion was caught behind a collision on the road and needed about fifteen kilometers to catch up.

“It cost me dearly in the end. At the top of the wall, I was in the second group and didn’t have the legs to be in the front group. We will take the positive of this day and we will leave tomorrow. The goal is to continue working and arrive in great shape in April for the Classics. »

It was, in a way, a return to the track for Hugo Houle. The Sainte-Perpétue athlete tested positive for COVID-19 in preparation for the tour of Andalusia, Spain, and had to take a few days off. However, he escaped with no symptoms.

“I’m happy with my form! I didn’t have any complications, so I wasn’t too worried, but this test came as a bit of a surprise to me. »

“It went well during the race and I’m happy with what I was able to accomplish. I’m on the right track. I was there until the key climb of the Grammont wall, then I lacked a bit of energy to follow the best, but I had done my job and managed to finish in the peloton. »

A few hours later, it was the turn of the female athletes to set off in Belgium. Quebecers Magdeleine Vallières-Mill (EF Education-TIBCO-SVB) and Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin (Cofidis) both took part in the race with their new respective teams.

Vallières-Mill finished among the chasing group led by the Dutch Lorena Wiebes (DSM), who completed the podium 25 seconds behind the winner. Dutchwoman Annemiek Van Vleuten (Movistar) beat her compatriot Demi Vollering (SD Worx) in the sprint to win.

Gabrielle Pilote-Fortin points to 72and rank (+4 minutes 22 seconds).

” A new start “

After four seasons in the colors of Astana, Hugo Houle has joined four other Canadians in Guillaume Boivin, Alex Cataford, James Piccoli and Michael Woods at Israel-Premier Tech, which facilitated the transition. A change that was made in an “easy and natural” way according to the principal concerned.

“It’s a familiar environment for me, both with my teammates and with Premier Tech. I feel good, I’m comfortable and it should allow me to have a good season. It gives me a fresh start. It’s clear that I still have to adapt a bit, but it’s going very well for me,” said Houle.

His arrival is enough to delight his friend Guillaume Boivin, who has been with him for several years. They notably evolved together at Spidertech and with the national team, including that of the Tokyo Olympics.

“It’s fun to have him with us! We understand each other well and we have a great bond. We have practically the same calendar all year round and we will be able to achieve great results together,” said Boivin.

Boivin, Houle and Duchesne will all be back on Sunday at Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. Pier-André Côté and Nickolas Zukowsky, from the Human Powered Health team, will also be on the starting line, as will Raphael Parisella from the B&B Hotels-KTM team.

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Cycling

Hugo Houle is excited about next season in his new team

Published

9 hours ago

on

January 14, 2026

By

Hugo Houle is excited about next season in his new team

Hugo Houle was about to begin his winter training for the next season when he learned at the beginning of December that he would be racing under new colors in 2026.

After four years with the Israel-Premier Tech team, the 35-year-old Quebecer made the jump to Alpecin-Premier Tech, where he will notably find stars Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen.

It was therefore with additional motivation that he began to work harder in training two weeks later with his new bike.

“Training is going well despite the weather being a little colder these days,” Houle said during a recent telephone interview with The Canadian Press from his home in Monaco.

“The bike is going very well, I’m happy,” he continued. It handles well, it is very responsive. This is the biggest difference between this one [Canyon] and my old [Factor]. It’s really pleasant going downhill. »

Since 1er January, Houle has already covered more than 1,100 kilometers and climbed more than 20,000 meters of elevation gain in 12 days. This hard work will allow him to show off his new jersey with confidence on the 1ster next February, at the La Marseillaise cycling Grand Prix, in France.

“I knew it was a possibility that I would participate, but I only had confirmation five minutes before our conversation,” Houle said with a certain excitement in his voice. I’m very happy, it’s not far from home and it’s a race that I know well and which suits me. »

Houle started this race six times during his career and finished in the top 20 three times, signing his best result in 2016 with a 13e place.

He will then participate in the Étoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard, a five-stage race which will take place from February 4 to 8 in France. He finished eighth overall in 2023.

It is still too early to talk about what awaits Houle in terms of the three major cycling tours (Tour of Italy, Tour of France and Tour of Spain) this year, but he is excited by the opportunities that could present themselves to him.

The team has plenty of strong riders to support Mathieu van der Poel on the monuments. But they don’t necessarily have grand tour riders, so that should allow me to make the most of my qualities as a rider who likes breakaways to try to win a stage.

Hugo Houle

That said, Houle is also excited about the idea of ​​racing alongside Van der Poel and Philipsen, two riders who start every race, or almost, with victory in their sights.

“It’s definitely stimulating,” he admitted. When you have riders who are important in the race, you ride differently. You take control of the race and stay active. This is another race configuration that could be interesting. »

Eyes fixed on Montreal

Houle is expecting a good season with Alpecin-Premier Tech, but it is also the year of the UCI Road World Championships Montreal 2026, which will take place in September.

And he makes no secret of it, the objective is to appear at the top of his form.

“It’s one of the main objectives of the season, that’s for sure,” he said. The goal will be to be at 110% when the time comes. »

Houle does not yet know whether he will participate in the Quebec and Montreal cycling Grands Prix or the Tour of Spain in the preceding weeks, but with the World Championships in sight, participation in a grand tour would be preferable, according to him.

“The Vuelta starts from Monaco this year, so it’s tempting,” he explained. Normally, I’m always in the best shape after a big tour. I think it would be ideal to prepare for the World Championships. »

A change of team, new teammates, a new bike, new challenges, World Championships at home… 2026 promises to be busy and it’s not the athlete from Sainte-Perpétue who will complain.

“It’s motivating, I can’t wait for it to start,” he concluded.

Source: lapresse

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Cycling

Alpecin-Premier Tech Hugo Houle excited about next season in his new team

Published

9 hours ago

on

January 14, 2026

By

Hugo Houle is excited about next season in his new team

Hugo Houle was about to begin his winter training for the next season when he learned at the beginning of December that he would be racing under new colors in 2026.

After four years with the Israel-Premier Tech team, the 35-year-old Quebecer made the jump to Alpecin-Premier Tech, where he will notably find stars Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen.

It was therefore with additional motivation that he began to work harder in training two weeks later with his new bike.

“Training is going well despite the weather being a little colder these days,” Houle said during a recent telephone interview with The Canadian Press from his home in Monaco.

“The bike is going very well, I’m happy,” he continued. It handles well, it is very responsive. This is the biggest difference between this one [Canyon] and my old [Factor]. It’s really pleasant going downhill. »

Since 1er January, Houle has already covered more than 1,100 kilometers and climbed more than 20,000 meters of elevation gain in 12 days. This hard work will allow him to show off his new jersey with confidence on the 1ster next February, at the La Marseillaise cycling Grand Prix, in France.

“I knew it was a possibility that I would participate, but I only had confirmation five minutes before our conversation,” Houle said with a certain excitement in his voice. I’m very happy, it’s not far from home and it’s a race that I know well and which suits me. »

Houle started this race six times during his career and finished in the top 20 three times, signing his best result in 2016 with a 13e place.

He will then participate in the Étoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard, a five-stage race which will take place from February 4 to 8 in France. He finished eighth overall in 2023.

It is still too early to talk about what awaits Houle in terms of the three major cycling tours (Tour of Italy, Tour of France and Tour of Spain) this year, but he is excited by the opportunities that could present themselves to him.

The team has plenty of strong riders to support Mathieu van der Poel on the monuments. But they don’t necessarily have grand tour riders, so that should allow me to make the most of my qualities as a rider who likes breakaways to try to win a stage.

Hugo Houle

That said, Houle is also excited about the idea of ​​racing alongside Van der Poel and Philipsen, two riders who start every race, or almost, with victory in their sights.

“It’s definitely stimulating,” he admitted. When you have riders who are important in the race, you ride differently. You take control of the race and stay active. This is another race configuration that could be interesting. »

Eyes fixed on Montreal

Houle is expecting a good season with Alpecin-Premier Tech, but it is also the year of the UCI Road World Championships Montreal 2026, which will take place in September.

And he makes no secret of it, the objective is to appear at the top of his form.

“It’s one of the main objectives of the season, that’s for sure,” he said. The goal will be to be at 110% when the time comes. »

Houle does not yet know whether he will participate in the Quebec and Montreal cycling Grands Prix or the Tour of Spain in the preceding weeks, but with the World Championships in sight, participation in a grand tour would be preferable, according to him.

“The Vuelta starts from Monaco this year, so it’s tempting,” he explained. Normally, I’m always in the best shape after a big tour. I think it would be ideal to prepare for the World Championships. »

A change of team, new teammates, a new bike, new challenges, World Championships at home… 2026 promises to be busy and it’s not the athlete from Sainte-Perpétue who will complain.

“It’s motivating, I can’t wait for it to start,” he concluded.

Source: lapresse

Continue Reading

Cycling

Hugo Houle feverishly ahead of next season

Published

9 hours ago

on

January 14, 2026

By

Hugo Houle is excited about next season in his new team

Hugo Houle was about to begin his winter training for the next season when he learned at the beginning of December that he would be racing under new colors in 2026.

After four years with the Israel-Premier Tech team, the 35-year-old Quebecer made the jump to Alpecin-Premier Tech, where he will notably find stars Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen.

It was therefore with additional motivation that he began to work harder in training two weeks later with his new bike.

“Training is going well despite the weather being a little colder these days,” Houle said during a recent telephone interview with The Canadian Press from his home in Monaco.

“The bike is going very well, I’m happy,” he continued. It handles well, it is very responsive. This is the biggest difference between this one [Canyon] and my old [Factor]. It’s really pleasant going downhill. »

Since 1er January, Houle has already covered more than 1,100 kilometers and climbed more than 20,000 meters of elevation gain in 12 days. This hard work will allow him to show off his new jersey with confidence on the 1ster next February, at the La Marseillaise cycling Grand Prix, in France.

“I knew it was a possibility that I would participate, but I only had confirmation five minutes before our conversation,” Houle said with a certain excitement in his voice. I’m very happy, it’s not far from home and it’s a race that I know well and which suits me. »

Houle started this race six times during his career and finished in the top 20 three times, signing his best result in 2016 with a 13e place.

He will then participate in the Étoile de Bessèges – Tour du Gard, a five-stage race which will take place from February 4 to 8 in France. He finished eighth overall in 2023.

It is still too early to talk about what awaits Houle in terms of the three major cycling tours (Tour of Italy, Tour of France and Tour of Spain) this year, but he is excited by the opportunities that could present themselves to him.

The team has plenty of strong riders to support Mathieu van der Poel on the monuments. But they don’t necessarily have grand tour riders, so that should allow me to make the most of my qualities as a rider who likes breakaways to try to win a stage.

Hugo Houle

That said, Houle is also excited about the idea of ​​racing alongside Van der Poel and Philipsen, two riders who start every race, or almost, with victory in their sights.

“It’s definitely stimulating,” he admitted. When you have riders who are important in the race, you ride differently. You take control of the race and stay active. This is another race configuration that could be interesting. »

PHOTO JACQUES BOISSINOT, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES

Hugo Houle

Eyes fixed on Montreal

Houle is expecting a good season with Alpecin-Premier Tech, but it is also the year of the UCI Road World Championships Montreal 2026, which will take place in September.

And he makes no secret of it, the objective is to appear at the top of his form.

“It’s one of the main objectives of the season, that’s for sure,” he said. The goal will be to be at 110% when the time comes. »

Houle does not yet know whether he will participate in the Quebec and Montreal cycling Grands Prix or the Tour of Spain in the preceding weeks, but with the World Championships in sight, participation in a grand tour would be preferable, according to him.

“The Vuelta starts from Monaco this year, so it’s tempting,” he explained. Normally, I’m always in the best shape after a big tour. I think it would be ideal to prepare for the World Championships. »

A change of team, new teammates, a new bike, new challenges, World Championships at home… 2026 promises to be busy and it’s not the athlete from Sainte-Perpétue who will complain.

“It’s motivating, I can’t wait for it to start,” he concluded.

Source: lapresse

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