"Hugo Houle's commitment extends up until 2027, and beyond"

In a heartwarming moment, Canadian cyclist Hugo Houle announced his decision to race for an additional year, marking his 14th and 15th seasons in the sport. Accompanied by his Quebecois girlfriend, Houle took a break from his European adventure to visit Mount Royal with his parents.

During their trip, they stopped at the belvedere to locate a mural that depicts Houle's 2022 Tour de France victory. The mural, created two months earlier by the Projet Tyxna collective, left a lasting impression on Houle, who found it impressive and big.

Houle's decision to extend his career comes amidst some challenges. He is aware that he will sometimes have to cope with less appealing aspects of his job, such as increased speeds and danger, tougher fights for position, and the professionalization of preparation.

However, Houle's passion for cycling remains undeterred. He enjoys the sport and has the desire to push himself. This extension is motivated by three fundamental elements: training in the cols of the Monaco hinterland, his role as road captain at his team, Israel-Premier Tech (IPT), and his desire to pass on his knowledge to the next generation.

The financial aspect is also a factor in his decision to extend. Houle skipped the Tour de France this year in the hope of being in top form in front of his home crowd, especially in Quebec. He feels honored to receive this "incredible tribute" and hopes to bounce back at the Canadian classics, where he hasn't shone in the last three years.

Meanwhile, tensions at IPT have been running high. Derek Gee, a teammate and compatriot of Houle, unilaterally terminated his contract with IPT, surprising Houle. The conflict between Houle and IPT regarding Gee's contract termination is supposedly purely contractual.

Another notable departure from IPT is Juan Ayuso, who unilaterally terminated his contract due to tensions and protests linked to the Gaza conflict, as announced during the 2025 cycling season transfer period.

Despite these challenges, Houle remains optimistic. He has high expectations for the Tour de Quebec, where he expects Tadej Pogačar to favor. However, Houle will skip the Worlds in Kigali in two weeks, citing strict vaccination requirements and cost as reasons.

As Houle prepares for his final lap, he dedicated his historic success to his younger brother Pierrik. His extension is a testament to his enduring love for cycling and his desire to leave a lasting legacy in the sport.