Michael Woods (cyclist)

Woods' first sport was ice hockey and his childhood ambition was to play as a left wing for the Toronto Maple Leafs.[1] Prior to becoming a cyclist, Woods was a promising middle-distance runner, setting Canadian national junior records in the mile and 3000 metres in 2005, as well as taking the gold medal in the 1500 metres at the 2005 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships.[2] However, he suffered a recurring stress fracture in his left foot, exacerbated by excessive training and racing, resulting in his running his last race in 2007.[2][6] Woods underwent surgery twice in order to correct the problem without success. He took up cycling initially as cross-training before friends persuaded him to enter races.[2]

Woods was taught English at school by Paul Dewar, who was later elected as a Member of Parliament.[1] Woods attended the University of Michigan on a track athletic scholarship, graduating in 2008.[2] Whilst at UoM he was coached by Ron Warhurst.[7]

Woods began cycling professionally with Team Québecor Garneau in 2013.[8]

On 20 August 2015 it was announced that Woods would join Cannondale for the 2016 cycling season.[9]

In 2016, Woods was officially named in Canada's 2016 Olympic team.[10] Woods was also named in the start list for the 2017 Giro d'Italia.[11] He finished the 2017 Giro, his first grand tour, in 38th place, taking two fifth-place stage finishes along the way and helping teammate Pierre Rolland to win a stage.[12] Woods was later named in the start list for the 2017 Vuelta a España where he finished his second Grand Tour in 7th place, taking one third-place finish and five top-tens.[13]

In 2018, Woods scored what he described as "the best result of my career" by finishing second in the Liège–Bastogne–Liège race.[14] In September 2018, Woods won Stage 17 of the Vuelta a España, which finished up a steep climb to Balcón de Bizkaia.[15][16] On 30 September, Woods finished 3rd at UCI Road World Championships – Men's road race in Innsbruck, Austria; the first Canadian Elite Men's podium finish since Svein Tuft's silver medal in 2008 (time trial) and Steve Bauer's bronze-medal performance in 1984 Road Race.[17]

In July 2019, he was named in the startlist for the 2019 Tour de France.[18] In October 2019 he won oldest classic race, 100th edition of Milano–Torino.[19]