Defending Giro d’Italia champion Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria calls it “heartbreaking” and “devastating.”
Fans and observers sensed something was off.
Hesjedal confirmed their suspicions by withdrawing from the 2013 Giro cycling race, citing illness.
“I want to be here for my team [Garmin-Sharp] and for all the people who have supported me to get me here to this point,” said Hesjedal, in a statement.
“I built my entire season around the Giro and I came here feeling great, but I have been suffering since the time trial. We’re working on it, but we’re not sure what’s wrong. There’s a virus that’s been going around, so it could be that, or severe allergies. Or going too deep on the time trial combined with both. Whatever it is, I’m only getting worse.”
The issue came to a head after the eighth stage as Hesjedal could generate no power in his legs for the climbs in the ninth, 10th and 11th stages.
“[Thursday’s 11th] stage was just too much for me,” said Hesjedal.
“I fought to get through it. After seeing the medical staff last night, I know that it’s time for me to go home, get some tests done and get healthy again.”
Hesjedal also had to suddenly depart the 2012 Tour de France after suffering injuries in a fall. That may have affected him during his sub-par road and time-trial performances in the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
But he was back and looking in form and healthy as he prepared to defend his Giro title this spring as the lead rider for Garmin-Sharp.
“I have tried my best to honour the No. 1 bib, the race, my team and fans and its devastating to leave this way,” said the Colwood-raised 32-year-old.
“Going home now is heartbreaking. I’m very proud of the team. These guys gave everything to help me. I couldn’t ask for better teammates and I know that they’ll continue to do great things here at the Giro.”
The 21-stage Giro concludes May 26 in Brescia.
Reaction in the Island cycling community was one of resignation tinged with understanding about the situation.
“There are a lot of disappointed people around here,” said two-time Olympian Seamus McGrath, director of the annual Ryder Hesjedal Tour de Victoria. Hesjedal is scheduled to ride in his namesake event Sept. 22 around the streets of Greater Victoria.
“But we all realize what a champion Ryder is and just how hard the Giro is to ride. He was in the top-three overall in the first week and looked unstoppable. But these guys are riding on such a fine line. If you are just one or two per cent off, it’s over. We feel Ryder’s pain.”
Hesjedal is resigned to his Giro fate but hopes to be ready for July’s Tour de France.
“Now, I’ll go home, focus on recovering,” he said.
“And take things day by day.”
Pending recovery, some are anticipating a big Tour de France for Hesjedal.
“This will motivate him even more for the Tour, an event in which he has had success before [Hesjedal was a breakthrough sixth in the 2010 Tour],” noted McGrath.
“[Resting and readying for the Tour] is now his intention.”
The Garmin–Sharp team physician, Shannon Sovndal, said Hesjedal has no alternative but to pull out of the Giro.
“We’ve been trying to uncover what’s going on with Ryder,” said Sovndal.
“He came into the race in stellar form, ready to defend his title, and clearly he’s been suffering since the time trial. His condition is not improving so we decided it’s time for him to go home, get testing done, and focus on getting healthy again.”
The Giro, one of the three European races that comprise the Grand Tour, is considered the second most important cycling stage race behind the Tour de France.
In winning the individual championship last year in the Giro, Hesjedal became the first Canadian ever to make the podium of a Grand Tour event. It’s an accomplishment that earned the Islander the 2012 Lionel Conacher Award as Canada’s male athlete of the year as voted on by the member newspapers and radio and TV stations of the Canadian Press and Broadcast News.
Also pulling out of the Giro because of illness was defending Tour de France champion and London Olympics time-trial gold-medallist Sir Bradley Wiggins of Great Britain.
