Hesjedal geared up for Tour of Alberta

EDMONTON — Defending champion Bauke Mollema and Victoria cyclist Ryder Hesjedal will headline the 2016 Tour of Alberta multi-stage cycling race.

Mollema, who won the 2015 Tour of Alberta, finished 11th overall at the Tour de France this year, but had been positioned for a podium spot before crashing in the final days of the three-week long marathon event.

Hesjedal, one of Canada’s top road cyclists and the winner of the 2012 Giro d’Italia, will compete in one of the final races of his professional career.

“We’re bringing a strong team to Alberta, for sure,” said Hesjedal, who rides for Trek-Segafredo. “I’d like to think I could be that guy for our team for the race, but you have to remember this is a professional sport. The guys with the best legs and feeling the best are the guys you need to support.”

The five-stage race begins Sept. 1 in Lethbridge, Alta.