Canada has only clinched a single Tour de France victory in its more than 100-year history, but two riders have just tripled the stakes in a year, to the delight of those who believe in and support the development of cycling in the country .
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• Also read: Michael Woods’ victory in the Tour de France stunned his early accomplices
After a very emotional day for the entire Israel-Premier Tech team, Michael Woods was able to enjoy the first day of rest of the Grande Boucle in Clermont-Ferrand with the iconic Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Cathedral on the hill of the old town.
Photo provided by the Israel Premier Tech team
Instead of returning to the race immediately, the team had a few hours of rest to reflect on what had just happened. “Become a hero,” Woods proclaimed while getting dressed on Sunday morning.
“There is a future for young people in Canada. I’m very proud to see Canada competitive at this level. With confidence we will try again and again,” said Steve Bauer, sports director for Michael Woods and former yellow jersey wearer in the 1988 Tour de France, after a first Canadian victory.
interesting future
A nod to Woods: It was also in 1988 that runners made the first and only ascent of the Puy-de-Dôme volcano before he claimed victory 35 years later.
Recall that the Ottawa native managed to make up an incredible delay of more than two minutes in the final four kilometers to catch and pass American Matteo Jorgenson with 500 meters to go.
Unusually, Woods had no spectators at the top, as the track was too narrow to accommodate them, especially since the electric train’s rails began operating in 2012 to carry pedestrians.
“We still have good cards in the game. We are a World Tour team. We have earned our place. The team has won three of the last 30 stages of the Tour, including 2022. There are no big egos on our team. Anyone can win,” said Jean Bélanger, CEO of partner Premier Tech from Rivière-du-Loup.
“We drank a glass of champagne and went to bed! This is good for the future,” said Hugo Houle, who is personally involved in the development of the Ecoflo Chronos U23 cycling team, a continental Canadian team.
More goals
Who’s next now? Guillaume Boivin seemed surprised by the question, but the answer was not long in coming. “There’s only one Canadian left!” he started. Very motivated and proud to have witnessed this crazy day up close.
Photo provided by the Israel Premier Tech team
The three Canadians are all in their thirties and also spot some of the country’s rising stars.
Last spring, Derek Gee, also with Israel-Premier Tech, covered no less than 900 kilometers in the breakaway group at the Giro d’Italia. The Canadian cyclist finished second in four stages and second in three sub-classifications. A true revelation of the Giro, he was voted the Tour’s superfighter.
“He shows a lot of potential. Alison Jackson won the women’s Paris-Roubaix. It’s crazy what’s happening in Canada right now. I hope that it will make young people believe in it and that the very old will support these athletes to keep it going,” said Antoine Duchesne.
What is less well known is that another young Ontarioian signed a three-year contract with the Ineos Grenadiers in September 2022. 19-year-old Michael Leonard hints at a promising future.
On Tuesday morning, the 10th stage, 167 km long, continues to be the Massif Central. Crossing the Puys chain with several 2nd and 3rd category climbs should appeal to a very robust adventurer. The arrival is scheduled in Issoire, a place not visited since 1983.