Ryder Hesjedal created cycling history on Sunday by becoming the first Canadian to win the Tour of Italy.
The 31-year-old landed the first of the season’s big three tours after prising the leader’s pink jersey from Spain’s Joaquim Rodriguez at the end of this 28.2 kilometre time trial.
Hesjedal, bagging a first major Tour for his country, had set out on the race against the clock ready to pounce at 31sec behind Rodriguez after two stamina-sapping days riding in the Alps.
Favoured by the final day format he crossed the line after three weeks gruelling racing 16s clear of Rodriguez, with Belgium Thomas De Gendt, who put up a superb solo effort to claim Saturday’s penultimate stage, in third at 1min39s.
Hesjedal, shedding a few tears on the podium, said: “For me this is an incredible experience, the joy is overpowering.
“I began to believe I could do it as the days went by when I saw that my legs were holding up well in the mountains.
“Even in my head I was calm and I remained serene.
“I saw that my rivals were beginning to respect me more and more – and in the end, I did it.”
He added: “This is the reward of a life of working, over the years, to achieve such a lofty objective.
“And it’s for that reason that I am so deeply happy.”
Asked what ambitions he now entertained for the Tour de France he said: “I’ll think about that in a few days time, For now I want to savour this amazing moment.”
For the first time since 1995 no Italian made the podium, with the highest placed local rider being last year’s winner Michele Scarponi in fourth at 2:05.
Ivan Basso came in fifth at 3:44.
The closing 21st stage in Milan was won by Italian Marco Pinotti ahead of Geraint Thomas and Jesse Sergent, with Hesjedal assuring ultimate victory in sixth.
Rodriguez, who had said he was going to need a miracle to deny Hesjedal in the time trial, came in 1:56 down on Pinotti.
Rodriguez, 33 and who came the closest he has ever done to winning one of the three major Tours, said he had done “everything possible” to try and hold on to his lead till the end over the time trial finale.
“Up to the last bend I told myself anything could happen. I took every risk possible. I gave it my all. It was only at the finish that I knew I’d lost the Giro, and that makes it even harder.”
DanMan
Guest
Great for the globalization of the sport along with Cadel last year. Not taking away from his win (over a very tough course he still had to push hard to the end) but it is a B grade TDF. Probably go top ten again if he is Garmin's GC rider (could be Danielson though) at TDF but can't go with the REAL attacks. Plus the GC guys at Le Tour are much better TT than was on display at the Giro.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
I don't think he has what is required to win at tdf, he is very good but I can't see him accelerating away from the field and building a lead he can defend. He will now be a marked man and will be attacked on every mountain. He was lucky that liquigas controlled the field so well that there was only one break by a contender that did not happen on the last climb of the day. This won't happen again. I expect attacks to begin with 2 climbs to go in the tour, this is the only way a true climber will be able to beat a timetrialist that can climb a bit. I don't think he is close to being a great yet, he has won a grand tourbut has a long way to go yet.
Michael
Guest
Well done, Ryder. I'm sure all of Canada is very proud of you and even though I'm not Canadian I am happy to see your victory as well.
Darryl Kotyk
Roar Pro
Yes, Hesjdal definitely is very deserving of this victory and it's great to see him emerging as one of the great cyclists. I think there will be more tour victories ahead for Ryder and am excited to watch as it all happens.
zacbrygel
Roar Guru
Well done Hesjdal on a deserved victory. This could be the stepping stone for Tour de France success in years to come.
Mantis
Guest
Great last few stages by Hesjedal. He is a really good rider (no pun intended), looking forward to seeing what he can do in the tour over the next few years. De Gent really impressed me as well, his ride up the Stelvio was awesome.