Victoria’s Ryder Hesjedal climbs into top 5 at Giro d’Italia

Maybe it’s that very-Canadian playoff beard Ryder Hesjedal is sporting this year.

Other than leader Alberto Contador of Spain and second-place home-country hero Fabio Aru, it is Victoria’s Hesjedal who has fashioned the most compelling storyline of the 2015 Giro d’Italia.

Given little chance to leave an imprint on the 98th Giro, after losing more than five minutes when caught behind an early-stage pileup, the Islander with the steely resolve has meticulously pedalled into the top five overall heading into today’s final stage from Turin to Milan.

Hesjedal recorded his second consecutive second-place stage finish Saturday in the penultimate 20th stage, 18 seconds behind the Italian Aru, in a 1-2 repeat of Friday’s 19th stage.

“I’m happy with my form and the work we’ve done here in Italy. There’s still one more day to Milan and we’re ready for it,” Hesjedal said in an email.

The 199-kilometre stage from Saint-Vincent, which included the legendary climb up the gravel road of the Colle delle Finestre, ended with the summit finish at the Sestriere ski resort.

Self-effacing to the end, 2012 Giro champion Hesjedal gave credit to his Cannondale-Garmin pro teammates for their support: “The team has been exceptional this entire Giro. All of us have given everything, every day. Moving into the top five in the G.C. [overall standings] today is a testament to that teamwork.”

Aru carved into half of Contador’s lead but is still 2:02 behind the leading Spaniard in the overall standings. Third-place Mikel Landa of Spain is 3:14 behind, fourth-place Andrey Amador of Costa Rica 8:19 in arrears and fifth-place Hesjedal 9:52.

It is the second consecutive year in which three-time Olympian Hesjedal has rallied furiously in the Giro. The Colwood-raised, Belmont Secondary graduate clawed back for a ninthplace overall finish last year after also being thought to be done and dusted early following a bone-jolting crash in the first stage.

Hesjedal, who was fifth in the 2010 Tour de France before becoming the first Canadian to win a Grand Tour cycling event when he captured the 2012 Giro, has whet appetites among his Island fans for this summer.

“Ryder is in form. I can’t wait for the Tour [de France],” said Troy Woodburn, a close friend of Hesjedal’s and owner of the Victoria Trek cycling store, where Hesjedal’s supporters have long gathered in the wee hours to watch his European pro racing career.

The annual hometown mass participation Ryder Hesjedal’s Tour de Victoria is on Aug. 23.