Ryder Hesjedal

For the first time ever a Canadian has won the Giro D'Italia bicycle race. Ryder Hesjedal powered his way to the win on today's individual time trial. He had been one of the favourites to win the race and was in the top 3 for the entire race and also wore the pink jersey for several days. Another great fact is that he did it on Canadian bikes made by Cervelo.
I first became aware of Hesjedal 10 years ago when he was racing mountain bikes on the pro circuit, one of only a few Canadian males at that time. I don't even know if he ever won a race. Like last years Tour de France winner Cadel Evans he eventually started road biking and now has reached the pinnacle of that discipline.  Hesjedal was instrumental in the Cadel Evans Tour de France win as well because it was his job to help protect Evans from attacks and to lead him up the climbs.
This win means Hesjedal has now inherited the title of Canada's greatest rider from Steve Bauer who had a 4'th place in the Tour de France. It's a great day for Canadian bicycling. Congratulations Ryder.