Ryder Hesjedal optimistic to rebuild his Giro lead
Ryder Hesjedal of Team Garmin Barracuda was leading the stage 9 classifications of the Giro d’Italia, with a healthy lead of 9 seconds over Joaquim Rodriguez of Team Katusha.
However, the cyclist had to give up his pink jersey after a superb sprinting performance by Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver of Team Katusha.
Rodriguez sprinted his way across the finish line in an impressive time of 4 hours, 25 minutes and 5 seconds and opened his Giro account.
Bartosz Huzarski of Team NetApp finished 2 seconds behind and achieved the second position while Giovanni Visconti of Team Movistar finished at the third position.
Domenico Pozzovivo of Team Colnago-CSF Inox finished 6 seconds behind and achieved the fourth position with John Gadret of Team AG2R La Mondiale occupying the fifth spot.
Stage 9 general classifications leader, Ryder Hesjedal finished at the sixth position.
Rodriguez has now jumped up to the top overall spot after the stage 10 classifications and has developed a lead of 17 seconds over Hesjedal.
Paolo Tiralongo of Team Astana holds the third spot with Roman Kreuziger, Benat Intxausti Elorriaga, Ivan Basso and Damiano Caruso holding the fourth, the fifth, the sixth and the seventh positions in the respective order.
The Canadian is not disappointed with his second overall position and is certain to claim the pink jersey back in the coming stages of the event.
He briefed, "I'm still close to the top and still in the big picture, I'm happy at the way I rode in the final, and without the time bonuses [on the stage]”.
“I'd still have the jersey. I'm not losing any time on the other rivals".
The 31-year held the leader’s jersey from stage 7-9 and has shown splendid form throughout the first ten days of the Italian Grand Tour.
"It's been an overwhelming three days [in the lead]," he explained. "I felt good, it was a hard climb, but I was there pretty comfortably and there is still a long way to go to Milan.
“I can hope for more in the third week".
The Canadian is now eyeing the 243 kilometre stage 11 of the race scheduled between Assisi to Montecatini Terme.
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