The 22-year-old Quebecer rode for the Bontrager Cycling Team in 2013 and distinguished himself by winning the U23 Canadian Road Championships in both 2012 and 2013. At the inaugural Tour of Alberta this year he raced with Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC, in the winning break on Stage 4 and finished fifth while Evans took the stage victory. At the Grands Prix Cyclistes in Quebec City and Montreal he placed 84th and 90th respectively, and at the 2013 U23 Road Worlds in Italy, Duchesne ranked 46th.
David Veilleux announced his retirement in September, electing to end his pro cycling career and return to university in 2014 and Duchesne effectively takes Veilleux’s spot on the Europcar team. This year Veilleux became the first Quebec rider to participate at the Tour de France since 1937 and made history as the first Quebecer to complete the Tour.
Europcar is a UCI Continental squad and was one of the wild card teams selected to participate at the 2013 Tour de France. Now the French team has declared its candidacy for WorldTour status following the withdrawal of Euskaltel and Vacansoleil teams from the WorldTour circuit. Canada’s Louis Garneau Sports, based in Quebec City, is a major sponsor of the Europcar team.
Thanks to Pedal’s Pasquale Stalteri for sending in this news about Antoine Duchesne.