Ryder Hesjedal with a chance to win Giro d'Italia - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

octothorp · 05-25-2012, 11:12 AM

I'm surprised we don't have a thread on this yet. Hesjedal has an excellent shot to win the Giro d'Italia, and if he's successful, would become the first Canadian to ever win one of the grand tours. He's got a 17 second gap to make up, and one mountain section on Saturday, plus a time trial on Sunday. He's traditionally a very strong time-trialer, so as long as he doesn't fall back on Saturday, he's got a real shot to win it. Current leader Rodriguez conceded after stage 17 that if it comes down to the time trial, he and the other contenders might not have a chance at catching Hesjedal. Despite my general cynicism about the sport, I can't help being really excited by the possibility of a Canadian earning such a huge victory.

HOOT · 05-25-2012, 01:25 PM

Being an Island boy I've been watching this somewhat closely, even though I'm not in cycling, and would be very cool to see him win it.

Anyone know if this will be on TV in Canada?

habernac · 05-25-2012, 01:31 PM

I've been recording most stages on one of the Sportsnet channels (SN1 I think). Always been a big fan of Ryder, he's a former mountain biker. Hoping he has enough left to finish it off. I'll be watching!

Julio · 05-25-2012, 01:37 PM

Holy crap...Ryder was incredible today. He finished second int he stage, pulling away from the other GC contenders a couple km out from the finish on a stupidly steep climb. One more mountain stage, then a time trial that everybody figured Ryder will win handily over the other GCers.

M*A*S*H 4077 · 05-25-2012, 01:58 PM

I've been following this and cheering him on. I was so excited when he pulled on the pink Jersey. Come on Ryder! You can make up that time!

Matty81 · 05-25-2012, 08:21 PM

If he can even keep it within a minute tomorrow I think he's got it, he will demolish Rodriguez in the time trial on Sunday. To say a win in the Giro would be the biggest event in the history of Canadian cycling would be a massive understatement. Tomorrow will be fun, watching the big mountain stage finishes are always great this late in the big races.

The Giro has got me wondering if Garmin is going to make a big push for Ryder to take a run at the Tour de France this year after this showing... the olympic course was pretty much selected for Cavendish, but you've got to think he's up there with anybody in a stage race at this point.

M*A*S*H 4077 · 05-26-2012, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty81

If he can even keep it within a minute tomorrow I think he's got it, he will demolish Rodriguez in the time trial on Sunday. To say a win in the Giro would be the biggest event in the history of Canadian cycling would be a massive understatement. Tomorrow will be fun, watching the big mountain stage finishes are always great this late in the big races.

The Giro has got me wondering if Garmin is going to make a big push for Ryder to take a run at the Tour de France this year after this showing... the olympic course was pretty much selected for Cavendish, but you've got to think he's up there with anybody in a stage race at this point.

I really hope Garmin lets Ryder be the guy for Le Tour. It would be great to see what he can do there with a team riding for him. On the other hand it would be interesting to see if he will have the legs for it

browna · 05-26-2012, 10:08 AM

Things have just finished up for today.

Hesjedal finished only 14 seconds back of Rodriguez, as some Belgian guy won the stage 5 mins ahead of the leading group (and the Belgian moved up to 4th).

So, 31 seconds to make up in the time trial tomorrow, from what the little I've read about in the last day as I picked up on this story, sounds like right up Hesjedal's alley...and history awaits.

http://bayarea.sbnation.com/2012/5/2...iguez-scarponi

Matty81 · 05-26-2012, 11:04 AM

Yes he should pick up the 30 seconds tomorrow, although lots could happen... In the first time trial which was only 8 k he beat him by 14 seconds and tomorrow's stage is 30 k. I looked at the odds this morning and Hesjedal has narrowed to 1/6 to win... Purito is 5/1 even though he is wearing the pink jersey still.

octothorp · 05-27-2012, 08:42 AM

Hesjedal on course now!

Already made up most of the time by the first checkpoint!
Nearly 15 seconds lead for Hesjedal at the second checkpoint!
Hesjedal wins!

puffnstuff · 05-27-2012, 09:15 AM

Win!

bossy22 · 05-27-2012, 09:39 AM

Yaaaaa! Awesome

Slava · 05-27-2012, 09:43 AM

Thats awesome! I don't follow this as much as some of you, but I was looking forward to seeing the result today!

transplant99 · 05-27-2012, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slava

Thats awesome! I don't follow this as much as some of you, but I was looking forward to seeing the result today!

ditto...now to see if a Canadian can take the Indy 500 and make it a memorable day in racing lore.

Mango · 05-27-2012, 09:53 AM

Wonderful news to wake up to!

Matty81 · 05-27-2012, 10:08 AM

What an accomplishment - great to see it happen to Ryder who seems like a really nice guy.

Now he can kick back, watch the competition beat themselves up in tour of switzerland and get ready to kick butt in the tour de france!

M*A*S*H 4077 · 05-27-2012, 10:24 AM

Winnnner! Congrats Ryder! Your country is proud!

Table 5 · 05-27-2012, 10:28 AM

Very cool!

Now let's hope he's not juiced up.

GirlySports · 05-27-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by transplant99

ditto...now to see if a Canadian can take the Indy 500 and make it a memorable day in racing lore.

And if Dufner wins today in golf that'll be 3 wins in 4 weeks. Now Dufner isn't Canadian but his caddie is from RED DEER!

KTown · 05-27-2012, 10:14 PM

I still remember racing against Ryder at the 1997 Junior Mountain Bike Nationals. He ended up winning obviously.

I knew he had something special back then and since he's made the switch to the road he's been better and better.