Kudos to the National Post/CanWest for some serious coverage of Ryder Hesjedal, the Canadian competitor in the Tour. The Globe never got interested, and CBC national sports seemed completely unaware of any Canadian participation, though local radio sports took an interest.
Hesjedal was the third fastest rider on his Garmin-Slipstream team, behind 4th overall Bradley Wiggins and 8th overall Christian Vandevelde. The three fastest finishes for each team determine overall team standings, and Ryder's contribution gave Garmin second place overall in the team competition. Hesjedal placed 49th overall -- in the top third of the field -- but it's his contribution to the team more than his individual standing that has confirmed his place on the Garmin team for the next two years.
Okay, eleven months of Tour de France withdrawal, we promise.
