Antoine Duchesne and Hugo Houle challenge Cycling Canada funding decision

Two Quebec cyclists in the pro peloton, Antoine Duchesne and Hugo Houle, are challenging a decision by Cycling Canada that would end funding for the two riders. Radio Canada reported Thursday that Canada’s cycling organization is ending financial assistance to riders on WorldTour and professional continental teams.

Antoine Duchesne, whose team Europcar was recently down graded from WorldTour status to pro continental, appealed the decision on Thursday afternoon.

Duchesne recognizes that cyclists who reach a certain level don’t necessarily need help. “An athlete who makes more than $50,000 net after expenses in his sport is not eligible, which totally makes sense,” Duchesne said to CBC Sports Québec. This year, however, Cycling Canada added the clause: “Any rider in a WorldTour team or pro continental is not entitled to this financial aid.”

“We still need to prove ourselves and we still need this help, which provides stability while we’re at training camps abroad so we can continue to develop, and, end up with a good contract so we will no longer need this help,” he said.

According to Radio Canada, Duchesne feels this financial aid represents 30 to 40 per cent of his annual budget for a season.

Duchesne’s team lost its WorldTour status because of budgetary reasons. According to Cycling Weekly, Europcar could only secure half of the roughly €14 million ($20 million) needed for the team’s budget. Europcar’s general manager Jean-René Bernaudeau feels his riders aren’t paid what they are worth.

Hugo Houle of Ag2r-La Mondiale is expected to appeal this decision next week.

Cycling Canada is expected to hand down its decision on appeals in two weeks.