Hesjedal lights up Giro stage to Cervinia
Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda) lit up a slow, grinding stage to the Cervinia ski resort. He flipped the Giro d'Italia classification with his attack and took the overall lead back from Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha).
"I felt good, felt comfortable the whole way - I just figured I would try and see how the legs would respond," the 31-year-old Canadian said in a post-stage press conference. "I knew it [the climb] eased off after three kilometres. The kilometres were clicking off - figured I would have a good go, the jersey was there for the taking." He paused and added: "Not much to it."
Hesjedal placed seventh in the Tour de France 2010. He took aim at the Giro d'Italia over the winter after team Garmin gave him the nod. It's his first time to lead a team into a Grand Tour and to point towards the overall win.
He held the jersey for three days already, thanks in part to his ride in the opening time trial in Herning and Garmin's time trial in Verona. A strong run through the southern mountains gave him the lead in Lago Laceno. He lost it to Rodríguez in Assisi on the short, steep climb to the city's centre.
Those climbs last weekend were 1400 meters, short affairs in Italy's Apennine mountain range, and nothing compared to the Alps. Cervinia opened a mountain run that takes the Giro from west to east, to Pampeago and ending on top of the Stelvio at 2757 metres. The only respite comes on a flat stage on Thursday and in a time trial, 30 kilometres, on the final leg in Milan next Sunday.
Judging from today, the rider from Victoria BC could be up for the challenge. He left his rivals - Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Cannondale), Roman Kreuziger (Astana) and Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) included - at three kilometres out and pushed solo to the finish. He gained 26 seconds on Basso and Scarponi, and another six seconds on Kreuziger.
The GC with seven stages to race
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1. Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda)
2. Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) 9"
5. Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Cannondale) 1-06
6. Roman Kreuziger (Astana) 1-07
8. Rigoberto Uran (Sky) 1-19
9. Michele Scarponi (Lampre-ISD) 1-20
15. Frank Schleck (RadioShack-Nissan) 2-20
"The race is still wide open, Kreuziger is strong; Rodriguez, Scarponi, Basso, Pozzovivo," he paused and added, "Hesjedal."
Teams Liquigas and Astana appear strongest and could benefit over time, but much will depend on their captains. Hesjedal has Christian Vande Velde and Peter Stetina for support in the mountains.
"This weather is perfect for him, this kind of climb is perfect for him," Vande Velde told Cycling Weekly at the finish. "We're all realistic. The climbs later are going to be much steeper and they're not exactly as good for him. Anyway, it doesn't matter, to win here you have to have form."
"I am in the jersey, the other favourites clearly have taken control of the race, they feel they are capable of winning," Hesjedal continued. "My team, we do not have the numbers on the climbs, I will be looking at the riders who have taken control of the race, riding to see if I can win it by Milan."
Giro d'Italia 2012: Latest news
Cavendish's Sky lead-out still on learning curve
Orica-GreenEdge to strengthen sprint train in Tour de France
Schleck struggles on with dislocated shoulder
Rodriguez up against more experienced rivals in Giro
Bak from worker to winner at the Giro
Cavendish disappointed to lose Giro stage in Montecatini Terme
Goss shaping up as Orica-GreenEdge leader
Hesjedal happy with Giro performance despite losing lead
Pinotti alters Giro plans after losing time in mountains
Pozzato apologises for role in causing crash
Hesjedal has tough day as Giro leader
Schleck building form in Giro for final week in Alps
English speakers on top
Giro favourites to make move in first mountain finish
Malori will relish time in Giro lead
Giro d'Italia 2012: Live coverage
Giro d'Italia 2012 live text coverage schedule
Giro d'Italia 2012: Stage reports
Stage 14: Amador wins Giro's first high mountain stage as Hesjedal reclaims lead
Stage 13: Cavendish makes it three
Stage 12: Bak attacks to win
Stage 11: Ferrari wins Giro stage on ride to redemption
Stage 10: Rodriguez wins thrilling finale to take leadStage nine: Ventoso wins in Frosinone as Goss and Cavendish fall
Stage eight: Pozzovivo takes another Giro win
Stage seven: Hesjedal moves into Giro lead
Stage six: Rubiano solos to epic Giro stage win
Stage five: Cavendish bounces back for another stage win
Stage four: Garmin-Barracuda win TTT to take lead
Stage three: Goss wins in Horsens as Cavendish and Phinney crash
Stage two: Cavendish wins in Herning
Stage one: Phinney wins time trial
Giro d'Italia 2012: Photo galleries
Stage 14 photo gallery
Stage 13 photo gallery
Stage 12 photo gallery
Stage 11 photo gallery
Stage 10 photo gallery
Stage nine photo gallery
Stage eight photo gallery
Stage seven photo gallery
Stage six photo gallery
Stage five photo gallery
Stage four photo gallery
Stage three photo gallery
Stage two photo gallery
Stage one photo gallery
Giro d'Italia 2012: Teams and riders
Giro d'Italia 2012 start list
Giro d'Italia 2012: TV guide
Giro d'Italia 2012: British Eurosport TV schedule
Related links
Giro d'Italia 2012: The Big Preview
Cycling Weekly's Giro d'Italia section
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Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
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