5 questions for Ryder Hesjedal on the second Giro d’Italia rest day

On Monday, the peloton took its second rest day amid the 21 days of racing within the 2015 Giro d’Italia. The day before, B.C.’s Ryder Hesjedal rode solo in the finale up the Madonna di Campiglio in an attempt to join the maglia rosa group, which included race leader Alberto Contador and current runner-up Fabio Aru. Hesjedal finished in 12th position, 3:11 back. He moved up in the GC, from 16th the day before to 13th.

“Ryder has shown that he is in really good shape,” said Charly Wegelius, the team’s sport director. “He was riding very well on the first category climb but unfortunately a rider from Movistar crashed right in front of him. Ryder had to brake and stop, which is how he got caught in the second group.

“His performance on the last climb speaks for itself. He was more or less going at the same speed as the pink jersey group only they had between four and five teammates working together and Ryder was working alone. He was fast – that’s for sure. He never showed any signs of cracking. It was pretty impressive.”

The Cannondale-Garmin had a tough day. Davide Formolo, the 22-year-old rider who won the turbulent fourth stage of the race, lost time. “Davide fell off twice in two days,” said Wegelius. “He rode the longest time trial of his life yesterday. He’s never raced a race this long, so every day he’s breaking a record and redefining his limitations. It’s not unexpected that he would have a tough time. Having a tough time and learning how to deal with it is an important skill in cycling, and that’s exactly what he’s doing.” Teammate Tom Danielson withdraw from a knee injury that had been plaguing him since since a crash in Genoa.

On the rest day, Canadian Cycling Magazine caught up with Hesjedal for some of this thoughts on the race so far and on what lies ahead.

CCM:  Yesterday (Stage 15), you fought hard to make contact with the lead group. A week ago, you also showed your resilience as you finished ninth on Stage 9 and seventh on Stage 11, both from breakaways. How do you keep your morale up, you motivation up, for such hard rides?

Ryder Hesjedal: I’m a racer and I’m at the Giro to race. Everyday is a chance to represent the team: no risk no reward. I have great legs so I want to take chances and push the race. And, being a past Giro winner gives me motivation.

The payoffs are not always huge, but emotionally, is there a boost?

It’s always rewarding to put yourself in a position to win. Being out in front in a race like the Giro is always exciting and adds to the motivation.

How’s the team in general? Formolo seemed to have a tough day on Sunday. Danielson has left the race. Your old teammate Christian Vande Velde has told us that you have a knack for keeping the team calm and collected. What are some of your strategies there as the team leader?

I am relaxed but always focused on the task at hand. I try to show the guys anything is possible and you have to believe. The team is good and dealing very well with all the hardships of a three-week race. This Giro has been extremely difficult on all levels and we are ready to show our best in this last week.

On Friday, the stage (Stage 19) will finish up Cervinia. That climb was significant for you in 2012. Can you tell me about its significance to you?

It was a hard day, and the day I took back the Maglia rosa. To pull it on for a second time on Stage 14, while putting time into my rivals, was a huge day in my career. At that moment, I truly believed I could win the Giro.

Do you think that extra significance will affect your ride in any way on that day?

It will be in my mind. I have had big days at the end of three-week races and I believe there’s a chance for another one.

For a further look into the Giro d’Italia at its second rest day, see Rob Sturney’s analysis.