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.
