June 27, 2016 (Paris, France) – Quebec cyclist, Antoine Duchesne, who rides for French-based Direct Energie, has made the roster for the 2016 Tour de France (TdF). As such, Duchesne becomes the third Quebecer selected to compete in the world’s most prestigious bicycle race after Pierre Gachon (1937) and David Veilleux (2013). A list of Direct Energie’s nine riders for 2016 appears below.
Before that, Duchesne distinguished himself by winning the U23 Canadian Road Championships in both 2012 and 2013. At the inaugural Tour of Alberta in 2013, he raced with Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC, TdF winner that year, in the winning break on Stage 4 and finished fifth while Evans took the stage victory. The Classics specialist began riding for Team Europcar in 2014, which changed its name to Team Direct Energie for the 2016 season.
Duchesne shares an apartment in France with another Quebec rider, Hugo Houle (AG2R). To follow Duchesne on Facebook, look for “Antwane Duchaine”. On his blog he thanked many people who have been part of his career including Team Canada, Louis Garneau, GPCQM organizers (especially the Arsenault family), and his coach, Pierre Hutsebaut – read more here.
“Thanks to all these people, I can announce today that I will be the third Quebecer to take part in the TdF starting this Saturday in Mont-St-Michel.”
The other eight TdF riders for Direct Energie are all veterans of the Tour, in Chavanel’s case this will be his 15th TdF.
– Sylvain Chavanel
– Bryan Coquard
– Antoine Duchesne
– Yohann Gène
– Fabrice Jeandesboz
– Adrien Petit
– Romain Sicard
– Angelo Tulik
– Thomas Voeckler
Direct Energie 2016 TdF selection here.
Our interview with Duchesne after Paris-Nice here.
Pedal extends its congratulations to Duchesne.