Bizarre Mural Controversy Erupts Just Days Before Montréal Road Worlds

Trouble is brewing in Montréal just days before the UCI Road World Championships over a mural controversy involving two of Canada’s biggest cycling stars.

A giant mural celebrating Hugo Houle and his historic Tour de France victory has been painted over and replaced by an image of former teammate Michael Woods.

That’s triggering questions across Canadian cycling just weeks before the city hosts the 2026 UCI road worlds.

The original mural went up in 2025 to celebrate Houle’s victory in stage 16 in the 2022 Tour, the first Quebecer and only one of three Canadians to win a stage in cycling’s biggest race.

Houle dedicated the victory to his younger brother, Pierrik, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver in 2012.

Now that image has disappeared from the wall.

Woods, the Ottawa-born former Tour and Vuelta stage winner, has replaced him.

The new image shows Woods celebrating his 2024 Vuelta a España stage victory in the Canadian champion’s jersey.

Mural is on a building owned by Sylvan Adams

At the center of the intrigue is Sylvan Adams, the Canadian-Israeli billionaire and longtime cycling benefactor who commissioned the original artwork of Houle on a building he owns, CBC reported.

Adams did not immediately respond to questions in Canadian media about why Houle was replaced by Woods.

Canadian Cycling Magazine reported that Woods knew about the plan months ago.

“[It] was supposed to be a bit of a surprise but Sylvan [Adams] did tell me he was going to change the mural, and I’m honored,” Woods told the Canadian outlet.

Houle — who abandoned the Vuelta a España on Sunday — was not aware that his image was going to be painted over.

“I was not consulted about its removal and I have not had any contact with [Sylvan Adams] since last September,” Houle told La Presse.

That uncertainty has prompted some speculation about whether the mural changes are linked to the makeover of Israel-Premier Tech after the turbulent 2025 season.

Houle and Woods both raced for the Adams-backed team through 2025.

La Presse reported that Houle was close to extending his contract with IPT before Quebec-based co-sponsor Premier Tech withdrew from the team following months of pro-Palestinian protests connected to the war in Gaza.

Premier Tech later joined Alpecin as a co-title sponsor, and Houle followed the Canadian company to Alpecin-Premier Tech for 2026.

The former Israel-Premier Tech operation stripped away its Israeli identity and relaunched as NSN Cycling this season. Derek Gee, another star Canadian rider, also broke from the team to join Lidl-Trek.

Adams, an outspoken supporter of Israel, stepped back from daily operations of the team.

The subplot will follow both riders into the worlds.

Houle and Woods will race together in Canadian team colors for the elite men’s road race September 27.