Canada welcomes their Giro d’Italia idol
Ryder Hesjedal of Team Slipstream-Chipotle received a warm reception after the cyclist returned home with an overall victory at the Giro d’Italia 2012.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper cited, “We thank Mr. Hesjedal for this defining moment in Canadian sport”.
“This remarkable win in one of bicycle racing's most gruelling competitions is a testimony to Mr. Hesjedal’s training, endurance, skill and competitive spirit,” he concluded.
“I think this win will create awareness. First of all people will know that there’s more than one race out there besides the Tour de France”.
“Cycling means so many things on so many levels and there are so many positives, for your health, for your mind, your body, for the environment”.
The Canadian succeeded during the stage 4 of the race and continued his overall dominance during the three-week race.
He finished the final stage of the race at the sixth position with a total deficit of 1 minute and 9 seconds over the stage winner Marco Pinotti of Team BMC.
Ryder’s sixth place finish helped him with the first overall spot after the final general classifications at the Italian Grand Tour.
He is the first Canadian cyclist to have received the honour of winning one of the biggest cycling races of the year.
The 31-year-old started his professional crusade with Team SAAB/Gary Fisher in 1999 and stayed with the team by the end of 2000 season.
He also represented Team Subaru/Gary Fisher (2001-03), Team US Postal (2004), Team Discovery Channel (2005), Team Phonak (2006), Team Health Net-Maxxis (2007) and finally accepted an offer from Team Slipstream-Chipotle for the 2008 season.
Hesjedal holds as many as nine Grand Tour appearances under his belt including three Giro, four Tour de France and two Vuelta a Espana participations to his credit.
Ryder also holds one Tour de France and one Vuelta a Espana participation to in his back pocket.
His best performance during the French Grand Tour was during the 2010 version of the race; he finished the race at the sixth overall position.
Hesjedal is optimistic to continue his ballistic form for the remaining part of the season and it will be interesting to see if he manages to continue the winning momentum for the coming races of the 2012 season.
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