February 23, 2004 – Cycling BC is pleased to announce cross-country mountain biker Ryder Hesjedal is a finalist in the “Senior Male Athlete of the Year” category of Sport B.C.'s prestigious Athlete of the Year Awards.
Born and bred in British Columbia, 24-year-old Hesjedal climbed the junior development ranks through the B.C. Cup series to become a professional full-time competitor on the international circuit. Ryder's string of top results in 2003 include overall winner of the U.S. National Championship Series, three first places in NCS events, several top ten World Cup series finishes, second place in the Canadian National Championships at Whistler, and a silver medal at the World Championships in Lugano, Switzerland.
Now in their 38th year, the Sport BC Athlete of the Year Awards recognize the achievements of athletes, coaches, officials and volunteers throughout B.C.'s amateur sports system. Winners will be announced at a presentation dinner on March 9 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Ryder's nomination follows in the wake of fellow Victorian mountain biker Roland Green winning the Senior Male Athlete Award of the Year in 2003.
Cycling BC congratulates Ryder on his nomination and is pleased to see B.C.'s tradition of producing top mountain bikers continue to gain recognition within B.C.'s sporting community.