Canadian cyclist Mike Woods has withdrawn from the upcoming Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal due to illness, according to Israel-Premier Tech. The 38-year-old rider from Ottawa has been dealing with illness and requires hernia surgery, preventing him from participating in the 209.1-kilometre race in Montreal following a previous 216-kilometre race in Quebec City.
Woods, who had announced his retirement plans in an August blog post, expressed the toll that professional cycling has taken on his health and time away from his family. Despite his retirement, he mentioned having big ambitions for the future in endurance sports.
The Israel-Premier Tech team, which includes riders from various countries, will still be represented in the races. The events in Quebec have attracted a diverse field of riders from around the world, serving as a prelude to the 2026 UCI Road World Championships in Montreal.
Controversy has arisen surrounding the participation of the Israel-Premier Tech team in the Montreal race, with a local human rights group urging the city’s mayor to exclude the team due to ongoing conflicts in Gaza. The group cited concerns over the team’s Canadian representation and its co-owner’s involvement in the event.