Hugo Houle continues to impress at the Tour de Suisse

If there was still the slightest doubt about Hugo Houle’s level of preparation for the Tour de France, he evaporated like a droplet of sweat on the overheated bitumen of Novazzano, Thursday, at the fifth stage of the Tour de France. Swiss.

The day after his teammate Daryl Impey’s victory, the Quebecer from Israel-Premier Tech skimmed what was left of the peloton on a climb about ten kilometers from the finish. He paved the way for an acceleration from his leader Jakob Fuglsang, who went to pick up third place on the line.

Houle even came back on the descent, before “easing off” on the last climb in order to preserve his energy for the next stages. He nevertheless finished 15^e29 seconds behind the winner, his former Russian teammate Aleksander Vlasov (Bora), who had the advantage in the sprint over the American Neilson Powless (EF).

“Hugo, he is walking on Calvary! enthused Antoine Duchesne, his former roommate who took the 60^e rank of the stage, during which he worked to supply his colleagues from Groupama-FDJ with water and ice.

“He impressed a lot of people at home. He’s in great shape and he’s been blowing everyone up in [l’avant-dernière] bump. Since the beginning of the week, he tells me that he is really good. I hope he will also succeed in seizing an interesting opportunity. »

For now, Houle is focused on his task with Fuglsang. His Danish friend is now in second place overall, six seconds behind the new leader, Vlasov. Fourth on the stage, Briton Geraint Thomas, released from his obligations to his Ineos teammate Adam Yates, non-runner due to COVID-19, is third at seven seconds. Former yellow jersey Stephen Williams (Bahrain) was among the first released.

“We ran well, we took the initiative, we are satisfied with our start to the lap and the impact we were able to have on the race, commented Houle, 17^e overall (+1min58). We won [mercredi], the priority is now the general for Jakob. »

The day before, he had “motivated” himself with his roommate Krists Neilands. The slender Latvian was also the first to sound the charge about twenty kilometers from the finish, taking the handle from the hand of Ineos. With Houle and Fuglsang in his wheel, he managed to let go of Remco Evenepoel (Quick-Step), the young scarecrow of this 85^e Tour de Suisse due to its strength against the clock.

The 22-year-old Belgian clung to the wagon reduced to 25 cyclists on the descent. But Houle, whose face flowed like a fountain, dealt him the fatal blow by taking over from Neilands on the Pedrinate coast (2.5 km at 7.8%). Twenty-eighth of the stage, Evenepoel lost more than two minutes.

“It’s still a very serious opponent for the general classification, it’s a good operation on that side,” rejoiced Houle.

After having saved his leader from danger in the sprint finishes and having himself ranked 11^e Wednesday, the native of Sainte-Perpétue therefore continues his impressive job on Swiss soil.

At 31, does he hold the physical condition of his life? “We are close to it,” he agreed. It’s hard to judge only with [le capteur de] Powerful. But the way I raced today, it’s clear that I’m in great shape. It’s very, very hot here – maybe 30-32 today – that adds to the difficulty and is a limiting factor. But it is certain that I reach among my best levels of performance in life. And I feel better every day. »

Houle is therefore very much looking forward to putting her legs and lungs to the test over the next two days, as the peloton moves through the high passes. He obviously wants to accompany Fuglsang as close to the wire as possible.

“It will be a big test to see where my form stands in the high mountains. I’ve been working on this a lot over the past few weeks. I’m curious to see how it will go. »

Tested by the heat wave during the first stages, Duchesne is getting better. Thirty kilometers from the finish, he let himself slide to “plug a hole” for the benefit of his teammates Thibaut Pinot and Sebastian Reichenbach, who is now ninth overall. The rider Stefán Küng is fifth, but he may not pass the mountain.

“Despite the heat, I was very good and comfortable today,” said Duchesne. I really took over. »

In addition to Yates’ retirement, the entire Jumbo-Visma team of American climber Sepp Kuss pulled out before the start due to a COVID outbreak. Three DSM riders suffered the same fate.

“There is a small increase in cases in Europe, recalled Houle. We must continue to be careful and maintain barrier gestures, especially as the Tour de France approaches. »