Hugo Houle joins Israel Start-up Nation
Jakob Fuglsang also leaves Astana for ISUN
Photo by:
Sirotti
Hugo Houle is on the move next year, with the Canadian leaving Astana along with Dane Jakob Fuglsang and joining fellow Canucks Michael Woods, Guillaume Boivin, James Piccoli and Alex Cataford at Israel Start-up Nation in 2022.
It's ✨official✨!
After racing together in ?? for #TeamCanada, @HugoHoule has officially made the switch to @TeamIsraelSUN joining his ?? teammates @rusty_woods & @Guillaumeboivin.
It's sure to make for an exciting 2022 road season ?https://t.co/Fs1mfeu43d
— Cycling Canada (@CyclingCanada) October 13, 2021
In an Israel Start-up Nation press release, Houle said, “I am really excited to join ISUN. I want to thank Sylvan Adams for this opportunity to come home. It’s natural to join him, as he contributed to developing Canadian cycling with the SpiderTech team and support in the World Championships. I’m sure the team will provide me with the best environment to keep progressing as a rider in the coming season and contribute to ISUN’s success.”
After Canadian sponsor Premier Tech announced it was parting ways with Astana, the company was in talks with BikeExchange to come on board as a title sponsor, and Houle and Fuglsang were going to be part of the package. But only a couple of days ago negotiations between the Australian WorldTour team and Premier Tech broke down. Houle and Fuglsang headed to ISUN, both signing on for three seasons.
Houle’s first WorldTour squad was AG2R–he joined from SpiderTech and raced for five years with the French outfit. Houle has spent four years with Astana. This season he rode his third Tour de France with Astana, placing 66th.
After the Tour, Houle had a fine time trial in the Tokyo Olympic Games, powering to 13th.
Houle’s final race for Astana was Paris-Roubaix; his compatriot and teammate-to-be Guillaume Boivin placed ninth in the Hell of the North.
