"There's no way you stand on the podium at the end of this race and not be the strongest and most complete rider" - Ryder Hesjedal gives insight into what it takes to become a Giro d'Italia winner
Cycling
Retired since 2016, Ryder Hesjedal, the former Giro d'Italia winner is back in Italy, this time as a fan and has given an insight into what it will take to don the famed Maglia Rosa in Rome.
Geraint Thomas is the current race leader, but with plenty of climbing still to come in the final days, there is still much to be decided. "This race is always about the last week. You can have one good moment in the last week, or a bad moment to change everything. I know that quite well. We'll see," said the Canadian, who won the 2012 edition of the race in an interview with Cycling News.
Hesjedal's victory over a decade ago came in one of the closest general classification battles of all time. Riding for Team Garmin - Barracuda, the Canadian edged out Joaquim Rodríguez by just 16 seconds. Fast forward to this year and another incredibly close battle is on the cards with just 29 seconds separating the entirety of the podium at the start of the 18th stage.
"I don't want to jinx anybody. I think everyone tries to get through the best they can and there's still a lot of pedalling still to go even though they are on stage 17 today, it sounds like it is almost over but it's not even close," says Hesjedal. "They know what's ahead of them. There's no way you stand on the podium at the end of this race and not be the strongest and most complete rider."
Kieran WoodDeputy Editor-in-Chief
Kieran Wood is a sports journalist based in Wales and has been active in journalism since 2022. He regularly contributes to DartsNews.com and CyclingUpToDate.com, where he covers professional cycling and darts. In cycling, his work includes liveblogs from major races, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, alongside race reports and analysis. He has also conducted interviews with professional riders.
His reporting spans the full racing calendar, from one-day classics to stage races, with a focus on accurate, real-time coverage and clear contextual analysis. For statistics, results, and historical context, he regularly uses resources such as ProCyclingStats. To support reporting on rider activity and training context where relevant, he also references Strava.
In his work, Kieran places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles as new, verified information becomes available.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Pidcock finished 9th place, 29 minutes down. he is a helluva rider, so gutsy. and he is amazing at all disciplines. but this headline is . . .mij09-11-2026
- I know, watch the video. and listen to her competitors. it was a tricky tacky call at best. WTF is this guy talking about??? my original comment was from the picture it didn't look like anything.mij09-11-2026
- I dunno what you're talking about. you make no sense. MS's competitor and the competitors coach said it was BS. she didn't deviate in a way that relegation should be required. revel LOL. you're so cool, in your own mind.mij09-11-2026
- deviation lol, watch the videomij09-11-2026
- the 'No different than women who follow and discuss celebs through gossip magazines' comment was unfortunately a bit off. didn't you just boast about your principles in the comments section of another article?Ketterechts08-11-2026
- Are you MrMauMau 2.0? Nothing you are saying is really relevant. Vaguely connected, but irrelevant. The conversation is whether Schreiber impeded Brand or not.
Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - He is boring
leedorney08-11-2026 - To Twoje przemyślenia te bla, bla :)
Dariusz08-11-2026 - Uwielbiam patrzeć, jak wyjeżdża na czoło peletonu i zaczyna się rzeź...Dariusz08-11-2026
- Yeah, unreal.
parisbound0008-11-2026
Loading
🇨🇦 The first Canadian to win the Giro d'Italia! 🎂Happy Birthday, @ryder_hesjedal! 🇨🇦 Il primo canadese a vincere il Giro d’Italia! 🎂Buon compleanno, @ryder_hesjedal! #Giro
Write a comment