Ryder Hesjedal made his third consecutive appearance at an Olympic Games in 2012 and competed in the cycling time trial and road race events, finishing 28th and 63rd respectively.
Before London, Hesjedal won the famed Giro d’Italia -- the first Canadian ever to do so.
He also represented Canada in the time trial and road race at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing finishing 16th and 56th in those events respectively.
In 2010, Hesjedal emerged as a true contender for major cycling races, finishing sixth at the Tour de France.
Formerly a mountain biker, Hesjedal competed in the road race event at the 2004 Games and was in the leading pack before withdrawing from the race with tire.
Hesjedal turned professional in 2005.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
- Beat Canada’s previous best finish in the time trial, placing 16th
- A former mountain bike rider, he competed at the 2004 Olympic Games, where he did not finish due to a flat tire
- Rides mostly in Europe for the Colorado-based Slipstream pro team, and spent July 2008 racing in the Tour de France – the first Canadian to race in the Tour since Gord Fraser in 1997
- Road Tour de France 2009
- Two-time World champion in the mountain bike team relay (2001, 2002)
- Has been cycling professionally since 2002
- Former teams include Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, the Swiss team Phonak, and Health Net
