April 26, 2013 (Switzerland) – Canada’s Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Sharp) will soon be on the start line of to defend his Giro title. Hesjedal is the first Canuck to wear the maglia rosa, and to win a Grand Tour, and fans the world over are hoping the Victoria, B.C.-native and his team can pull off a repeat victory. Hesjedal gave us a glimpse of where his form is at with a bold and gutsy attack at the final Ardennes Classic, Liege-Bastogne-Liege, with 17tkm to go almost escaping for the win. Instead his move set up teammate Daniel Martin (Irl) for his first Classic victory. Following Liege, Hesjedal headed to Switzerland for the Tour of Romandie, his final race prior to the Giro, May 4–26, where we caught up with him for his thoughts before the first Grand Tour of the season. Hesjedal abandoned Romandie today tweeting…“Stopped today to give myself a week till Giro..same as last year except I feel better on the bike. #moreisnotalwaysbetter.”- ed