History of Canadian cycling: Rusty Woods

Froome in charge again, but Michael Woods in green right behind.

With Ryder Hesjedal now well into retirement, we may have a new Canadian to follow in Grand Tour cycling in the coming years.

Michael Woods, former Olympic-caliber distance runner, took up cycling as part of rehab from a running injury and has now fully transitioned to top-rank cycling.  In the Vuelta a Espana, now about half done, he stands eighth overall and is consistently holding with the world's best riders on the biggest hills.  Someone to follow, for sure.

Update, September 13:  A pretty terrific Vuelta, with Sky and Chris Froome proving their invulnerability, but a big stage win by about-to-retire local hero Alberto Contador at the very end. Woods finished seventh, with impressively consistent riding on all the big hills. Only on the very last big hill, the terrifying Angliru with its 24% grades, did he finally lose contact with the leading contenders, and even then only in the final kilometre, and he gave up only a few seconds to them. Next summer he may be supporting teammate Rigoberto Uran in the big tours, but it looks like hi time is coming.

Image: www.steephill.tv -- the best site for following the Spanish tour from Canada.