Ryder Hesjedal is confident to win the Tour de France 2012
Ryder Hesjedal of Team Garmin-Sharp is definitely the most prominent cyclist of the year after his fabulous performance during the Giro d’Italia 2012.
He rode brilliantly during the Giro d’Italia and bagged his first ever Grand Tour victory during the three-week race.
The Canadian is charged up after his superb performance and is all set to lead his side at the second Grand Tour race of the 2012 season.
The Giro victory has boosted his confidence and the cyclist is now eyeing podium at the Tour de France 2012.
"I think I can win [the Tour de France],” he told Cyclingnews.
“I don't know if it will be this year but definitely after what I was able to do in the Giro that was a big indicator for myself and now it's about how I can apply that further down the road".
"I got in a good recovery after the Giro, had some training and got the hours in around Girona. It's all good".
"There are a lot of riders I've not seen for a while and a lot of riders basing their season on the Tour so we'll have to wait and see how it shakes out”.
Ryder will face the highest level of competition at the French race as he will have the likes of Cadel Evans and Bradley Wiggins fighting for glory.
Cadel Evans succeeded during the previous edition of the race and his only goal for the current season is the top podium spot at the 2012 version of the Tour.
On the other hand, Bradley Wiggins has already been declared a pre-race favourite by the experts considering his majestic form in the first half of the season.
Absence of Andy Schleck and Alberto Contador will definitely make the tour lot easier for Hesjedal and many others but it will also increase the hustle.
The 31-year-old cited that being favourite on paper is quite different than the actual race which was evident during the Giro.
He briefed that the analysts and the cycling fans chose their favourite on a different criteria but normally the top finishers are not the favourites.
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