On September 7, 2026, the mural that has long marked the corner of Mont‑Royal Avenue and Saint‑Urbain Street in Montreal was altered to replace the image of cyclist Hugo Houle with that of fellow Quebec rider Michael Woods.
The artwork stretches across the side of a multi‑storey building at the intersection, presenting a large portrait that dominates the façade and is visible to pedestrians and traffic alike.
The original mural was painted in 2025 as a tribute to Hugo Houle’s stage win in the 2022 Tour de France. That achievement had been celebrated locally, and the mural served as a public acknowledgment of his success on the world stage.
The updated version now depicts Michael Woods, also a professional cyclist from Quebec. Woods is shown in the same scale and style that previously highlighted Houle, maintaining the visual impact of the piece while shifting the focus to another local athlete.
Mont‑Royal Avenue is a major east‑west artery through the city, and Saint‑Urbain Street runs through the Plateau neighbourhood, an area known for its street art and cultural vibrancy. The mural’s presence at this busy crossroads ensures that the celebration of cycling talent remains part of the everyday urban landscape.
Both Houle and Woods have represented Canada in international competitions, and the change reflects continued recognition of the province’s contribution to professional cycling. The artwork continues to link the city’s streets with its sporting heritage.
No official comment explaining the timing of the swap was released at the time of the update.