Canadian Michael Woods of Ottawa Canada is currently the leading climber in the Tour de France. Woods now 36 and one of the older 'new riders' in his 4th Tour is the leading climber in this year's race. He is entitled to wear the polka dot jersey symbolic of that honor.
He started his sports career in hockey but soon became one of Canada's leading runners including running a 3:57.48 mile. But recurring leg injuries while at the University of Michigan put him on a bike to maintain his fitness while recovering. Et voila the rest is history as he found he had the knack for racing on two wheels.
He turned pro at the relatively late age of 29 and this year is having one of his best years on the circuit of pro races in Europe.
Below is a bio taken from his website.
Raised in the capital of Canada (Ottawa, Ontario), Mike Woods grew up with a pair of skates on his feet and a hockey stick in his hand. His dreams of being a pro hockey player though, like his diminutive stature, were short lived. By high school, Woods found that his 5’9′ 135lbs frame was better suited for the running track than the skating rink.
Through hard work and natural talent he established himself as one of the best runners in Canada. Breaking records in the under 20 mile and 3km and winning the Pan American jr. Games 1500m. Woods to this day claims the title of having run the fastest mile on Canadian soil, by a Canadian (3:57.48). With his successes on the track, Woods earned a full scholarship at the University of Michigan, where he graduated in 2008 with an undergraduate degree in English.
Running Results
- Canadian Record Holder in U-20 Mile & 3000m
- 5x Canadian National Champion
- 2006 – top 50 World Ranking in 1500m
- 2006 – Big Ten Indoor Mile Champion
- 2005 – Pan American Junior Champion & 1500m Record holder
- 2005 – Canadian Jr Track & Field Athlete of the Year
- Fastest Mile run by a Canadian on Canadian soil
During his time at Michigan, Woods quickly rose up the ranks in the American Collegiate system, and, at the age of 19, earned a top 50 world ranking in the 1500m. However, his quick rise was followed by an even greater fall. Through poor guidance, diet, and over-training Woods suffered a series of stress fractures to his left navicular bone, ultimately forcing him out of the sport. Despite several comeback attempts, Woods would finally hang up his shoes after breaking his foot for the final time in the fall of 2011.
Throughout his battle with stress fractures, Woods found himself turning increasingly to the bike as a source of cross training and stress relief. “I used to steal my dad’s bike and go for rides when I was injured. It was cathartic and filled this hole left behind from running” says Woods, who would soon find himself, on the insistence of friends, entering local group rides and races. It did not take Woods long to realize his potential in the sport and, at the age of 25, he decided to make one final push at being a pro athlete, this time as a cyclist.
In the span of four years Woods fought the odds, overcame setback and injuries, and established himself as one of the top climbers in North America. In 2015 he wore yellow at the Tour of Utah, and claimed his first professional victory in the race’s 5th stage. This result, along with several others, earned him a spot on the 2016 Cannondale Pro Cycling team, making Woods, at 29, one of the oldest neo pros in cycling history.
Here's a video of Woods crashing yesterday on a descent in Stage 14 of the Tour de France. He was able to get back up and continue the over 100 mile leg and move into the leadership of the climbers during the tour. Link: Woods crashes in the tour
This is one of the aspects of bicycle racing that gives me a lot of respect for riders who leave their DNA on the asphalt, break collarbones and dislocate shoulders and are still able to carry on. From his website it appears that he is planning to compete in the 244Km Olympic road race in Tokyo next month. This very hilly course may well favor the great climbers.
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