It has been a long wait for Canadian cycling but on Tuesday in Foix, Hugo Houle broke a 34-year stage winner’s duck at the Tour de France, soloing home from the breakaway after attacking up the steep slopes of the Mur de Péguère.
The Québécois had two Canadian time trial titles to his name before going solo almost 40km from the finish line but stole away from the remains of a large breakaway group just four days after coming close to the win in Saint-Etienne.
It’s not since 1988 that a Canadian has won a stage of the Tour, with Steve Bauer the man having held that honour for over three decades since his opening stage triumph in Machecoul.
Bauer is now a directeur sportif at the Israel-Premier Tech team and was in the car behind Houle as he got away to take that historic victory, with compatriot Michael Woods taking third place.
After the stage, Cyclingnews spoke to Bauer to get his perspective on seeing another Canadian win a Tour stage after all these years.
“That’s what they tell me. I think it’s probably correct. It’s been a long time – too long,” Bauer said at the Israel-Premier Tech bus in Foix.
“It’s incredible to see. What a top pro Hugo has been. He’s always been the top team man for his leaders, doing his job day in, day out. He’s a top professional.
“He studies the plan, he organises himself well, and to have such a performance like that today is superb. He had a chance to go for the win and he was super strong. He rode smart, he rode strong, and deserves it all.”
Bauer, a new DS at the team for 2022, was in the team car with Zak Dempster as the two directors advised Houle and Woods on the 178.5km stage, with the end result being a second stage win at the race following Simon Clarke’s triumph at Arenberg back on stage 5, and a third place for Woods.
“I was with Zak,” Bauer said. “I’m super happy I got the chance to follow the break without two Canucks. They trust my voice over the radio, and I gave them the best information I could.
“It’s always emotional coming into the last kilometre after such an effort and after such a brilliant day that Hugo had. I feel proud of him and what he’s accomplished.
“To win one is great,” he added. “I only won one in the Tour and I know that it feels great. It’s been a long time coming for Hugo and I always knew he could do it. Today was his day.”
Bauer admitted that the team had been…
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