La Fleche Wallonne

Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) came out swinging today in La Fleche Wallonne. He was extremely active in the race, attacking and initiating breaks, but unfortunately could not get anything to stick. In the end of a challenging 195.5 kilometer battle from Charleroi to Huy, Belgium, Hesjedal finished 10th behind winner Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team). Instrumental in making sure his team mate had a strong ride, was Christian Meier (Garmin-Transitions) who finished the day in 123rd position.

Meier answered a few questions about today’s race:

What was the team strategy for today?
Our strategy was to protect Dan and Ryder for the finish, keep then in good position and out of the wind. This was my role for the day, as well I had to ride the front in the later part of the race when a more serious group got off the front with some good riders in it. After that I just help get Ryder into position before the Cote d’Ahin.
Can you give us an idea of what this race is like? How does it compare to the other spring classics?
Fleche like all the classics is a special race, the fans up the Mur de Huy are insane, including the young group of Canucks. These races are the hardest one day races of the year, everyone there is on form and the physical demands are high, you have to save everything you can to have a shot at the final. That being said they are also the most beautiful and my favorite of the year, the history, the ambiance and the prestige. I have dreamed of doing these races since I started road cycling and hope someday I can grow to be a rider capable of good results here, to do what Ryder is doing now.
You’ve been doing a lot of early season racing, how are you feeling – physically and mentally?
Yeah after the classics I think I will be close to 40 days of racing, most of those being Pro Tour races but I don’t feel to run down at all. I will probably take a little break after the classics anyhow, its a long season.
Your team mate Ryder Hesjedal was on the podium on the weekend – how does it feel to see your team mate standing up there?
Seeing Ryder up on the podium in a monument is something very special. As a fellow Canadian and team mate, its very cool to be a part of that. He is a very classy rider.