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Hugo Houle signs on for three more years with Astana

Canadian coming off impressive fifth in Arctic Race of Norway

Hugo Houle has extended his contract with Astana through 2022, the team announced on Wednesday. The Canadian joined Astana in 2018 after four years with AG2R which came after two seasons with Spidertech.

In a press release, Hugo said, “I really enjoyed my first two years in Astana Pro Team. I found here a nice bunch of friends and a great atmosphere! I feel very comfortable here and I’ve got a strong support from sports directors, staff and my teammates. I am ready to keep improving as a professional rider, to develop in races, to follow my goals in this sport. I want to keep being a team player as I like to help the leaders. In the same time, I hope to get some personal chances in one-day races or Grand Tour stages.”

Houle recently finished fifth in the Arctic Race of Norway following 91st place in his first Tour de France. In Norway he helped Kazakh teammate Alexey Lutsenko win the title and also assisted Lutsenko in winning the Tour of Oman in February. Houle will be prominent at the Laurentian Classics Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec and Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal on the 13th and 15th of September respectively.

With Astana, Houle has been as active in Spring Classics and semi-Classics as he was with AG2R. This season he has 67 race days so far, with 65 last season and an average of 83 in his last two years with AG2R.

Astana general manager Alexander Vinokourov said, “Hugo is a rider you can always count on in any kind of race. Hugo is a valuable team rider, always loyal, ready to provide his best for the leader. We saw him in many races working hard for Jakob Fuglsang or Alexey Lutsenko.”