Hesjedal Fifth in Monte Paschi Srade Bianche

The 190 km Monte Paschi Strade Bianche was contested Saturday in Gaiole in Chianti. Of the 113 riders that started the race, only 65 managed to make it through the end in this hard-fought early season battle. Two Canadians lined up: Ryder Hesjedal of Garmin-Transitions and Michael Barry of Team Sky.

Hesjedal made it into the winning six man move late in the race. The break was established with Maxim Iglinskiy (Astana), Thomas Löfkvist (Team Sky), Michael Rogers (HTC-Columbia), Filippo Pozzato (Katusha), and Francesco Ginanni (Androni Giocattoli). Iglinskiy was the eventual winner of the race with Hesjedal finishing 5th.

We managed to catch up with Hesjedal and ask him a few questions about the race.

Congrats on an excellent finish in 5th place – can you tell us how the finale unfolded? What was going through your head as you got within the closing kilometers?

“I was fighting hard to stay in the late race moves and was able to reach the last km as one of the leaders. I was dreaming of victory, but I just didn’t have the legs after my efforts to get to that point. I was a little disappointed to be so close after such a difficult race and not have the ability to fight it out on that last wall to the finish. It really is a beautiful race.”

Hesjedal said this race was a season goal for him. For the past two years he has finished 10th and emphasized the plan was “to try and win it. This is a race that I really enjoy,” he said.

He added that he is feeling pretty good right now. “My form is on track and I’m excited to see how much more I can improve. I’m feeling great and looking forward to next week and racing in Tirreno-Adriatico. I finished 8th in the general classification the past two years. So lets see how I do this year.”

Barry, who was unavailable for comment, had a strong race, finishing in 32nd position. Barry will also be racing in Tirreno-Adriatico from March 10 – 16.