May 03, 2013 (Naples, Italy) – Canada’s Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) was the man of the hour as the defending champ at the presentation of the 96^th running of the Giro d’Italia at the Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples. Last year Hesjedal became the first Canuck to wear the maglia rosa, and went on to a stellar win entering the record books yet again with his monumental victory as the first Canadian to win a Grand Tour. Here’s a selection of photos from this historic day as 23 teams gathered to do battle as the Giro unfolds from May 4-26 and Hesjedal and team Garmin-Sharp will try to make history once again at one of the toughest races on the planet. Pre-Giro interview with Hesjedal here.