A public mural at the intersection of Mont‑Royal Avenue and Saint‑Urbain Street in Montreal has been altered to display a portrait of Michael Woods, taking the place of an earlier image that honored Hugo Houle. The change was made in 2026, updating the artwork that has been a visible feature of the neighbourhood for several months.
The original mural was painted in 2025 on the same building. It was commissioned to commemorate Hugo Houle’s victory in a stage of the 2022 Tour de France, marking a notable achievement for the cyclist and providing a visual celebration of that success within the city’s streetscape.
In 2026 the mural was replaced, and the new work now showcases Michael Woods. The portrait occupies the same wall space that previously displayed Houle’s likeness, effectively swapping one celebrated figure for another while preserving the overall presence of the artwork at the corner location.
Both the initial and the revised murals are situated at a prominent corner where Mont‑Royal Avenue meets Saint‑Urbain Street, a site that attracts regular foot traffic and serves as a backdrop for community expression through street art. The building’s façade continues to host the large‑scale image, maintaining its role as a visual landmark in the area.
The transition from a Hugo Houle tribute to a Michael Woods portrait reflects a continued focus on honoring individuals linked to the sport of cycling. By updating the mural rather than commissioning a new piece elsewhere, the city retains the established artistic footprint while introducing a fresh subject for public viewing.
The mural’s evolution from one cyclist’s commemoration to another underscores the dynamic nature of public art in Montreal, where works can be modified to reflect changing themes or to highlight different personalities over time.