Quebec cyclist celebrated as 'great champion' after prestigious Tour de France stage win

Louis Garneau, a retired competitive cyclist who founded Louis Garneau Sports in 1983, was watching the Tour de France on Tuesday morning when he saw a familiar face in the lead.

That face belonged to Hugo Houle, from Sainte-Perpétue, Que. He ended up winning Stage 16 of the race more than a minute ahead of France's Valentin Madouas and Israel-Premier Tech teammate Michael Woods of Ottawa.

"It's a historic moment," said Garneau. "I want to have a glass of champagne with Hugo Sunday night."

And Garneau plans to do just that — flying to Paris to celebrate with Houle after what so far has been a stellar performance during the world famous 21-stage race over the Pyrenees and Alps mountain chains. 

Garneau first met the 31-year-old Houle when he was about 15 years old. The young racer trained in Garneau's club alongside the retired racer's son. Garneau served as Houle's coach, mentor and sponsor, ensuring Houle flourished as a professional cyclist.

"He's a great, great, great champion," said Garneau.

Then just a few days before Christmas in 2012, Houle's brother was out for a jog when he was killed by a drunk driver at age 19. Garneau said he gave Houle a small cross to wear around his neck a couple of days after the accident.

"I said, 'take the cross for your brother,'" said Garneau, telling Houle he was going to be a good racer someday.

Then last week, he contacted Houle and asked him if he still wears that cross when he races and "he told me, 'yes, Louis, yes.' And he sent me a picture of the cross."

Garneau watched on Tuesday as Houle took the cross from his shirt and looked to the sky near the finish line. Garneau, calling it an emotional moment, knew what was going through Houle's mind.

"I had one dream: win the stage for my brother who died when I turned professional. Today that one is for him," Houle said after the race.

"I worked for 10, 12 years and today I got my win for him."

Garneau was emotional as he talked about the victory, calling it a "great moment for Quebec and Canada."

"It's important for kids," he added. "They are looking up to Hugo. He's a very clean racer. He's honest. He never gives up. He's one of the best, motivated racers I've seen in my life."