Veteran Canadian rider Hugo Houle has signed a two-year contract extension with the Israel-Premier Tech team that runs through 2026.
The 33-year-old from Sainte-Perpétue, Que., joined the team in 2022 and went on to record a Tour de France stage win that year.
“I feel at home in the team, it’s like a family, and I’m also really happy with the progress we have made in the team in the last two years," Houle said in a statement. "I’ve had the best results of my career to date with this team and I think we have achieved quite a lot.
"I’m excited for the next two years especially as it will bring me to the World Championships in Montreal in 2026 and that’s a big objective for me.”
Houle, the first Canadian to claim a Tour de France stage since Steve Bauer in 1988, dedicated the Stage 16 win to younger brother Pierrick, who died in December 2012 after being hit by a drunk driver while jogging.
Bauer now serves as Israel-Premier Tech's head sports director. And the team has plenty of other Canadian connections.
Canadian-Israeli entrepreneur Sylvan Adams is one of the owners. Canadians Jean Belanger, president and CEO of Premier Tech based in Rivière-du-Loup. Que., and Kevin Ham are also partners in the team.
Paulo Saldanha serves as the team's performance director. Israel-Premier Tech is also home to Canadian riders Michael Woods, Derek Gee, Guillaume Boivin and Riley Pickrell.
Premier Tech GM Kjell Carlström welcomed Houle's new contract.
“When I think of Hugo Houle, the first thing that comes to mind is his reliability," Carlström said. “Whether it’s as a teammate or battling for his own result, Hugo is incredibly reliable and will always give it absolutely everything.
"We all remember his Tour de France stage win, an emotional and well-deserved moment in his career, but in addition to this, he has delivered consistent results such as third place at last year’s Maryland Cycling Classic, and some solid general classification results at stage races. Hugo brings a wealth of experience to the team and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in the coming two years.”
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 4, 2024
Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press