May 28, 2012 (Dundas, ON) – Cycling fans across Canada were glued to television screens and computers on Sunday morning as Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Barracuda) did what no other Canadian has done before. He won a Grand Tour claiming the maglia rosa at the Giro d’Italia, the second most prestigious cycling race in the world next to the Tour de France.

Pedal was on hand at the Domestique Cafe to catch the feeling and join the celebration of this monumental accomplishment by Victoria, BC’s, Hesjedal, who first made name for himself in mountain biking, and then switched to road cycling because as his Dad told us in a previous interview, “… he wanted another challenge.”

In our video coverage we caught up with Domestique owner Krys Hines, former Canadian women’s road champ Sue Palmer, and the legendary Steve Bauer, the last Canadian to wear a Grand Tour jersey as he captured worldwide attention in 1990 wearing the yellow jersey at the Tour de France for nine days straight.

We also contacted Michael Barry who’s a good friend of Hines and a regular at Domestique when he’s in Canada to get his take on Ryder’s amazing ride at the 95th running of the Giro.

“Sounds like a great event at Domestique. Ryder’s performance is incredible and inspiring. In the 80s-90s Steve Bauer’s results at the Tour and in the Classics brought cycling in Canada into the spotlight. Slowly, cycling is returning to the headlines and this Giro will hopefully only bring the sport more prominence. Ryder’s performance is remarkable and it will place him with cycling’s great icons. From the fan’s perspective the race has been fantastic to watch and will surely go down as one of the most exciting Grand Tours ever. His ride has inspired me and I hope the rest of Canada feels the same,” cheers, Michael.