Canadian grand tour rider Michael Woods, who was not selected by his EF team for either the Tour or the Giro this year (after he signed with a different team for next year), got to compete for EF in the Veulta a Espana this year, and then was promptly caught in a crash on Stage One that put him hopelessly behind in the overall classification. So he's come back as a stage win contender, coming second in a horrible cold wet day last Sunday.
And then: first place. Yesterday in a beautiful run up and down the cliffs of the Basque country, looking positively Hesjedalesque -- with maybe a better finishing kick to assist the big mountain engines they both have.
It was disappointing to have no Canadian contenders in the Tours this year, but in fact the races have been pretty interesting, with wins being seized young riders who usually have to wait years for a shot. And now Woods gets a chance first to score some individual attention, then maybe chances coming up to help his teammate Hugh Carthy to a good finish in the overall. The viewing season improves.
