Ryder Hesjedal is proud of his career, unsure what challenges await in retirement

"It just became clear this year that I am ready to move on"

Philippe Tremblay September 13, 2016

Ryder Hesjedal in his last race on Canadian soil — Ryder Hesjedal at the GP Montréal

When Ryder Hesjedal hangs up his bike at the end of 2016, he will do so satisfied that his career that spanned almost two decades has impacted cycling in Canada. For the time being, the 2012 Giro d’Italia winner will remain the only Canadian to have ever won a grand tour. His popularity on home soil is considerable based off the cheers the native of Victoria, B.C. receives competing at the WorldTour races in Quebec City and Montreal.

“I hope so, it feels like it,” Hesjedal said when asked if he feels his career has left a legacy on cycling in Canada. “I am very proud of my career and my Giro win. It was something I worked my whole career for and I am fortunate it came together. I hope I left my mark and inspired the next Canadian grand tour winner.”

Hesjedal’s career began as a mountain biker and he won a silver medal at the under-23 world championships in 2001 and elite world championships in 2003. After making the full-time switch to road cycling in 2004 he has gone on to other successes including fifth overall at the 2010 Tour de France, two stage wins at the Vuelta a Espana in 2009 and 2014, and podium places at the Amstel Gold Race (2010) and Grand Prix Cycliste de Montréal (2010, 2013) to go along with his Giro win.

On his career Hesjedal said, “I enjoyed it, I wouldn’t change anything. I gave everything I had every year. This is actually my second retirement. I stopped professional mountain biking in 2004.” Retiring from professional cycling he says, is made easier by the peace of mind that he accomplished what he set out to do. “I’m proud of what I achieved and I think that is a big part about moving on. You have to get to that point where you are satisfied with your career and I am at that point.”

Hesjedal announced his retirement in August. “It wasn’t quick or easy but once you get on in your years you start to look at cycling and analyze to see what you are trying to do. It just became clear this year that I am ready to move on.” After a successful career he said, “It’s easy to know you don’t have to race anymore, I am satisfied with the racing and I am ready to take on new challenges in life. There is definitely more out there than bike racing. It has been a big part of my life, I lived my dream and that’s all I really wanted to do for the last 20-years. Now I’m ready to do other things.”

Both Christian Meier and Rider Hesjedal will be hanging up their bike at the end of 2016

At only 35-years-old, the possibilities for what’s next are endless. “I have no major plans. I will finish off this season and then take stock after having some time off to relax. I will keep my ears open,” said Hesjedal. On what he looks forward to most, he said, “The freedom, not having to be at the next race, the next objective and the flexibility to take on different challenges whatever I feel like doing.”

https://twitter.com/AshHofie/status/760116477282361345

As a bike racer, Hesjedal spent his winters in Hawaii with his wife Ashley to escape the cold of Canadian winters. In retirement that likely won’t change, “I definitely like the warm weather, the beach and the ocean. I have been doing that every winter since 2007 so we are probably going to keep that routine going.”

Hesjedal was pleased with his performance as top Canadian

Hesjedal participated in the final Canadian races of his career in Quebec City and Montreal. Both days he finished in the top-20, a result that netted him top Canadian in Montreal after he sparked the aggressions on the Camillien Houde with an attack.