Ryder Hesjedal had to surrender the leaders Giro d’Italia jersey today to 33-year-old Spanish cyclist Joaquin Rodriguez.
Rodriguez took the overall lead in the Giro d’Italia from Canadian Ryder Hesjedal on May 15 with the a powerhouse of uphill acceleration. The same type of climbing speed that has previously netted him victories at La Fleche Wallone this season and twice in the Tirreno Adriatico’s infamous Montelupone climb after winning the hilly 10th stage with a sprint finish. This guy can climb! Hesjedal was only six seconds behind in sixth place, but with the way times and bonus time works in cycle racing Rodriguez moved ahead of him with a 20-second time bonus for the stage victory.
“Hats off to Purito,” Hesjedal said in an email to The Canadian Press, referring to Rodriguez’s nickname. “His team was incredibly strong and they took the initiative riding all day. He is the best in the world on that type of finish. “It was an honour to wear the maglia rosa,” the Victoria native added. “I can’t be disappointed losing the jersey in those circumstances and I am pleased with my condition and will look to the rest of the race with confidence.”
Hesjedal, as I mentioned in my previous blogs, is the first Canadian ever to lead the Giro.
Stage 11 on May 16 is the race’s longest, an incredible 255-kilometre leg from Assisi to Montecatini Terme.
The race ends May 27 in Milan and is still anyone’s race at this point.
I am a firefighter and cancer survivor circumnavigating the globe by bicycle to fund research for a cure for breast, prostate and lung cancer.
I cycle with Police and Firefighters from around the globe. The posted blogs are my personal opinion and thoughts.
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