Hesjedal eyes Giro double
Tour champ Wiggins, Nibali in strong field year after breakthrough
Ryder Hesjedal may be a marked man at this year’s Giro d’Italia, but the Canadian cyclist says he has never been more relaxed.
Hesjedal will try to become the first rider to win back-to-back Giro titles since Spain’s Miguel Indurain in 1991 and 1992 when the iconic race begins Saturday in Naples, Italy
Hesjedal was considered a strong rider heading into last year’s 95th running of the race — he was fifth at the 2010 Tour de France — but he was still an outsider in a field of top European racers that included two-time winner Ivan Basso and defending champion Michele Scarponi.
Undaunted, the Victoria native stayed in the mix with consistent performances in each stage and took the pink jersey on the race’s final day, becoming the first Canadian to win a Grand Tour event. Hesjedal won’t be flying under the radar this year, and the likes of 2012 Tour de France winner and Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins and Italian favourite Vincenzo Nibali will be gunning for him. But Hesjedal has been buoyed by his preparation for the gruelling 21stage race, which finishes in Brescia in May 26. “I have that confidence, and I’m relaxed in the sense that I’ve already won the Giro,” Hesjedal said in a phone interview from Naples. “I’m probably the most relaxed I’ve been in my career.” Hesjedal was instrumental in helping Garmin-Sharp teammate Daniel Martin win the Volta a Catalunya in Spain and the Liege-Bastogne-Liege in Belgium leading up to the Giro. He showed aggression in Belgium, making a solo breakaway with about15 kilometres to go, ultimately finishing eighth. “I feel stronger than last year,” said Hesjedal. “I’ve done the hard work and gone through the moments where there’s no guarantees. I said a long time ago it’s one thing to win the Giro, but to go back there again to try again is a different story.”