Canadian riders’ are well represented at the 2009 Vuelta a España. Never in any of the cycling grand tours (Tour de France, Giro d’Italia & Vuelta a España) has the Maple Leaf been boldly represented.
At this year’s 64th Vuelta a España, a three week long arduous 21 stage race, is chalk full with four Canucks. Garmin-Slipstream has the triad of: Ryder Hesjedal, Svein Tuft and Christian Meier. Also, Dominique Rollin of Cervélo Test Team makes his grand tour debut. All four guys are more than capable to win a stage. As was almost the case on Stage 10 as Hesjedal came up so short for stage victory. The last Canadian to win a grand tour stage was the ‘Fenwick Flyer’, Steve Bauer. He thundered to win Stage 1 at the 1988 Tour de France and wore the yellow jersey for five days.
The Canuck credentials are confidently savvy as Hesjedal is in his fourth grand tour and hopes to stir up a stage victory. The other two grand tour rookies’ are Svein Tuft, the 2008 World time trial silver medalist and team mate Christian Meier. Interestingly, the Garmin threesome are so famous that they have the ‘Autographed Canadian Stars Poster Pack’ for sale on their team website. You can’t beat that.
Pushing the Canadian envelope further is Dominique Rollin of Cervélo TT. Like his successful compatriots, he’s made his mark on the American circuit and made the huge steps up to the European races. Good results come with the higher education of professional racing.
Their older counterparts knew of this success, too. Back in the 1986 Tour de France, Alex Stieda & Steve Bauer were the only two Canucks’ to ride a grand tour. Stieda became the first North American to wear the yellow jersey, history making. Bauer was amazing earning and wearing the yellow jersey with his toughness. Fourteen days in yellow is another Canadian record.
And, were talking about a record for Canadian riders in a grand tour. Now, in the Vuelta it’s four. Can a stage win be soon? I’m already flying the Maple Leaf!
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