After three weeks, more than 91 hours and 3,502 kilometres, Canadian cyclist Ryder Hesjedal became the champion of the 95th Giro d’Italia, a Grand Tour event.
Riding for the Garmin Barracuda team, the cyclist from Victoria, British Columbia, also made history as the first Canadian to win the Giro and wear the pink jersey, and the first Canadian victor of a Grand Tour event.
It was a gruelling race to the finish line, with Hesjedal just 16 inches ahead of Joaquin Rodriquez of Spain and 1’39” in front of Belgian Thomas De Gendt at the finish. Although there were no Italians in the top three, Michel Scarponi and Marco Pinotti finished fourth and fifth, respectively.
The win has also brought even more international attention to Canadian cycling, which has been on the rise. Four Canadians competed in the Giro with Hesjedal. ‘Canadian cycling is at the highest level it’s ever been,’ he said.
Many have pressed Hesjedal about his plans to ride in the Tour de France. Some see competing and winning both races as the true test of ability, but it is rare to win both in the same year. Only seven cyclists have won both, and Lance Armstrong completed the double just once.
Hesjedal has been hesitant to commit to the legendary Tour, which runs from June 30 to July 22, saying only that he will see how his body recovers in the coming weeks.
On June 21, Cycling Canada will decide if Hesjedal will compete in the 2012 Olympics. The Giro d’Italia win certainly increases his chances of being selected, though some have speculated that the cyclists chosen will be those most likely to win during the time trials that favour sprinters.
