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Houle to lead Team Canada at the Tour of Alberta

Cycling Canada Cyclisme

Cycling Canada CyclismeOn Thursday, Cycling Canada Cyclisme announced that Hugo Houle will be the leader of Team Canada at the upcoming Tour of Alberta from Sept. 2nd to 7th. Houle who was originally expected to race in the Vuelta a Espana announced recently that he would not be racing in the Vuelta and instead taking part in a complete Canadian program in the upcoming weeks. Since his WorldTour AG2R squad is not racing in Alberta, Cycling Canada Cyclisme’s press release was expected. Houle is not sure if the Tour of Alberta and the WorldTour races in Quebec and Montreal will be precursors for the World Championships. “I’m going good. I don’t know for the worlds or what the plans for the national team are,” said Houle. “Honestly, I will be surprised if I get to go to the worlds.”

Eight riders will line up wearing the national colours at the Tour of Alberta, including Canadian under-23 road race champion Ben Perry. “It will be cool to ride with Houle because he has taken a path to the top that I would like to replicate with strong performances at the U23 level internationally,” said Perry.

Last year, the Tour of Alberta served as a showcase for Antoine Duchesne who now races for Europecar. Duchesne managed to land a WorldTour spot after an amazing break-away effort on the final day of the Tour of Alberta last year.

The Tour of Alberta will host five WorldTour teams, seven U.S. based teams and three Canadian teams; Garneau-Quebecor, Silber Pro Cycling and Team Canada.

The full press release can be found at Cycling Canada Cyclisme.