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Woods, a world-class climber, has recognized a Giro d’Italia stage win as the subsequent accomplishment on his listing.
Having gained a stage on the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana (twice), he says it could be “actually cool” to get a person win in any respect three Grand Excursions — one thing no Canadian has finished.
Successful on house soil is one other objective of his. The Biking Grand Prix’s in Quebec Metropolis and Montreal, a part of the UCI World Tour, are set for Sept. 8 and 10.
Woods, who rides for Israel-Premier Tech, will compete on the one-day races for the primary time since 2019, when he completed eighth in Montreal and seventeenth in Quebec Metropolis.
He offers himself a greater likelihood of profitable in Montreal as a result of the course in and round Mount Royal higher fits his type as a climber.
“The following factor is profitable a stage on the Giro,” mentioned Woods, who additionally resides in Chelsea, Que., a small city close to Ottawa. “But it surely’s all the time essential to me to do nicely in Montreal and Quebec Metropolis. I began my profession there, it’s due to these races that I used to be capable of rise to this degree. So why not one thing like Montreal too?
“It’s one of many greatest races of the 12 months for me.”
Woods says his win on the Tour de France solely offers him extra confidence to be aggressive in Montreal and intention for a giant outcome.
That solely is sensible contemplating the way in which he gained.
Woods put forth a shocking solo effort up the well-known Puy de Dome volcano to erase a spot of almost two minutes and cross 24-year-old chief Matteo Jorgenson lower than 500 metres from the end line.
“I used to be shocked by what I did as a result of with 20 kilometres left, 10 kilometres left, even 5 kilometres left, I didn’t suppose I might win the stage,” he mentioned.
“After I watched the footage after, I couldn’t imagine it. It’s unbelievable I used to be capable of win.”
Sebastien Arsenault, the CEO of Grand Prix Cyclistes Quebec and Montreal, says having a Canadian like Woods who’s not solely racing on the UCI Tour but additionally performing is huge for these races — the one ones of their variety within the Americas.
“He’s (nearly) 37 and simply informed us he’s finished the most effective numbers of his profession,” mentioned Arsenault. “I imply, we see the correlation along with his stage win on the Tour de France, he didn’t win that due to a large crash — he pedalled to victory.”
The races in Quebec Metropolis and Montreal maintain a particular place for Woods, a high Canadian middle-distance runner turned professional bike owner at 25 years previous after sustaining a collection of stress fractures in his left foot.
Woods started his skilled biking profession at these occasions, and Montreal is also the place he ends it if every thing falls into place.
The 2026 world championships are set for Montreal that September. Woods, nonetheless, is nicely conscious that Father Time might get in the way in which of issues since by then he’ll be 39 happening 40.
He’s beneath contract along with his staff till 2025. From there it’ll rely on his well being, need and the extent he’s acting at.
Woods says he has no real interest in racing at a degree decrease than the requirements he’s reached.
“I don’t wish to be the man that doesn’t carry out on the highest degree, I don’t wish to be racing if I’m not bettering, if I’m not doing massive issues,” he mentioned.
“If that’s the case in 2025 then you definitely gained’t see me on the worlds in 2026. Nonetheless, if I’m nonetheless going nicely, if I’m nonetheless excited, nonetheless racing on the highest degree, then yeah, that’s actually a dream objective to retire at that race in Montreal.”
For now, Woods nonetheless appears like he’s on the high of his sport regardless of how a lot riders of their mid-to-low 20s dominate the game.
“This 12 months, I did a few of my greatest numbers ever in coaching. I’m feeling robust, and the starvation and the drive continues to be there,” he mentioned.
“I’m nonetheless feeling like I’m progressing, in order that’s why I’m nonetheless racing, that’s why I’m not retiring on the finish of this season, that is why I wish to carry on going till not less than 2025.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Aug. 24, 2023.
Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press
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