For Hugo Houle, the end is “already decided”.
If all goes according to plan, the cyclist will retire at the conclusion of the road race at the World Championships in Montreal on September 27, 2026, his 36th birthday.
“This is going to be my last race. I just have to get there! That’s the plan. »
Sitting on his bike on Saturday afternoon, Houle had just struck a pose for what was intended to be the “kick-off” of the event which will be held from September 20 to 27, 2026.
The official photo taking took place on Avenue du Parc, where the finish line of the road racing events will likely be drawn.
“It reminds me that it’s coming quickly,” said the representative of Israel-Premier Tech, who was preparing to take a tour of the circuit of the Montreal Grand Prix, the 12th edition of which will be presented on Sunday (start 10 h 15),
“The years go by quickly,” added Houle, under the attentive ear of the Minister responsible for Sport, Isabelle Charest.
“You have to try to take advantage of every one that’s left. It’s three years, but at the same time, I’ve already been on the circuit for a long time. Being an expatriate is still difficult. Sport is becoming more and more demanding. So I want to have three good years thoroughly. And the opportunity [of the Worlds] was too good to pass up. »
At 34, his teammate Guillaume Boivin was not ready to impose such a deadline on himself.
Kick-off
In addition to the two Quebec cyclists and the minister, many of them surrounded Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante behind the rainbow ribbon held by the two Quebec U15 champions, Sandrine Veilleux and Charles-Alexandre Veilleux.
Politicians, representatives of federations, former riders Karol-Ann Canuel, Steve Bauer and Antoine Duchesne were brought together by the organization chaired by Sébastien Arsenault.
Julian Alaphilippe (2020 and 2021) and Michal Kwiatkowski (2014), the two former world champions present for the Grands Prix, postponed their training session by a few minutes to join the group.
Kwiatkowski definitely intends to be part of it. “I’m certainly not young anymore, I’ll be 35 then, but it’s one of the most beautiful circuits among all the races I’ve done,” assured the Pole from Ineos, stage winner at last Tour de France.
“It would be spectacular to race here and few cities in the world can provide such a great circuit, with the park and the climb. It will be a fantastic World Championships. »
Without being identical to that of the Grand Prix, which will take place two weeks earlier on its usual date, the circuit of the elite women’s and men’s road events will be essentially the same. Mount Royal will therefore be its heart, with the essential Camillien-Houde route and the Côte Polytechnique as the main difficulties.
This route is itself inspired by the 1974 World Championships, the first presented outside of Europe. The Belgian Eddy Merckx won his third and final rainbow jersey there. In a short video released on Saturday, the greatest cyclist in history expressed that he had an “extraordinary memory” of this “very special” title.
According to the latter, “75%” of the $40 million budget, announced in 2019, is assumed by the three levels of government and their agencies. The federal government revealed an investment of 13 million, the provincial 7 million and the City of Montreal 3.9 million.
In all, the CEO of Montréal 2026 calculates that he has raised 32 million including services. He therefore invited the representatives of “Québec inc. » to join the party.
“I have the budget to deliver events from a sporting and security point of view, that’s all,” warned Arsenault, who would like to do more international promotion and improve the event on a festive level.
For Mayor Plante, Montreal’s contribution is in line with her desire to position the city as a cycling destination, both locally and internationally.
“We have always loved cycling and we demonstrate this on a daily basis when we see the number of citizens who travel by bike, either to relax, to train or to go to work or go to school,” recalled Ms. Plante.
By the 2026 Worlds, the mayor promised to “continue to invest heavily” to maintain Montreal’s “positioning” “as a cycling city in North America”.
Minister Charest, for her part, was delighted for young cyclists like Sandrine Veilleux and Charles-Alexandre Veilleux (no relation).
“I hope it will serve to inspire and instil this taste for surpassing oneself and taking on challenges,” said the Olympic medalist in speed skating. You have very beautiful models next to you. Talk to them and try to learn from their journeys. For me, this event will truly have an extraordinary legacy. »
Marion Rousse correctly predicted Arnaud De Lie’s victory on Friday in Quebec.
The director of the Tour de France Femmes, who enjoyed her first experience as an analyst for TVA Sports, thought for a few seconds before revealing her choice for Montreal. “Mattias Skjelmosse,” replied the former French champion. “He has big odds [read: he’s not the huge favorite], but I can see him winning on this course. »
Verification made on sports betting sites: the Dane from Lidl-Trek, 10th in Quebec and recent winner of the Maryland Classic, is the favorite of prognosticators with odds of 4.25 to one. At 34 against 1, the Canadian Michael Woods (Israel-Premier Tech) is an interesting option, like De Lie at 50 against 1…
