January 2, 2009 – We are pleased to announce the winners of Pedal’s Annual Canadian Cycling Awards, honouring Canada’s best cyclists of the year in many disciplines and categories as voted by our readers. For 2009, Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions) was the big winner scoring top honours for his successful road season on the ProTour circuit. Hesjedal took home the awards for Best Overall Cyclist (Male or Female), Best Overall Senior/U23 Male Cyclist, and Best Road Senior/U23 Cyclist (Male or Female).

In 2009, Hesjedal became the first Canadian to win a Stage of the Vuelta de Espana (Stage 12 on Sept. 11). In addition to the Vuelta, Hesjedal also competed at the Tour de France and previously at the Giro d’Italia – meaning he’s raced at the big three Grand Tours of cycling.

Hesjedal dropped us a quick line after he was informed of his 2009 Pedal Awards win: “I just want to say thank you to all Pedalmag fans! 2009 was an exciting year and to be recognized by you is a real compliment. Starting 2010 with news like this just adds to my desire to improve! Thanks!”

Mountain biker extraordinaire Catharine Pendrel (Can) Luna Pro Team was the first runner-up in Best Overall Cyclist (Male or Female) category. Pedal readers voted Pendrel Best Overall Senior/U23 Female Cyclist and Best MTB XC Senior/U23 Cyclist (Male or Female). Her accomplishments last year include winning the MTB World Cup race in Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que., taking third place overall in the 2009 MTB World Cup Series, and winning her first MTB National Championship title.

We heard from Pendrel a bit later as she was away and unable to respond earlier, “Thanks everyone for your votes. It means a lot to be recognized by you as the female rider and MTB rider of the year. I’m looking forward to 2010 and the chance to race for the MTB World Championship title on home soil!”.

Stuart Wight also got in touch when he heard the news about his award and sent the following note, “I just wanted to say thanks to Pedal and all the readers for voting me as the Junior Male Cyclist of 2009! It’s quite an honour and highly motivating for another great Junior year in 2010! Thanks again, and Happy New Year!

When it came to tallying votes for the Best Canadian Cycling Moment/Performance of the decade, things got a little tougher, as our readers sent in a huge array of great Canadian cycling memories from the last 10 years, such as Lori Ann Muenzer’s Olympic gold on the track in 2004 in Athens and Marie-Helene Premont’s silver in the mountain bike event there as well.

Not surprising, the overwhelming favourite of the decade was one of the most recent accomplishments: Hesjedal’s historic Stage 12 win at the 2009 Vuelta de Espana on Sept. 11 another Canadian cycling first for the record books. The first runner-up was Geoff Kabush for his first ever MTB World Cup win last year in Bromont, Que. The list of reader selections for the Best Canadian Cycling Moment/Performance of the decade will follow soon. (Sorry server problems prevented us from announcing the winners on Jan. 1 as planned).

Congrats to all of our winners!

2009 Pedal Canadian Cycling Awards

Best Overall Cyclist (Male or Female)
– Ryder Hesjedal

Best Overall Senior/U23 Female Cyclist
– Catharine Pendrel

Best Overall Senior/U23 Male Cyclist
– Ryder Hesjedal

Best Road Senior/U23 Cyclist (Male or Female)
– Ryder Hesjedal

Best MTB XC Senior/U23 Cyclist (Male or Female)
– Catharine Pendrel

Best Overall Junior Male Cyclist
– Stuart Wight

Best Overall Junior Female Cyclist
– Krista Ruby

Best Track Senior Cyclist (Male or Female)
– Zach Bell

Best DH Senior Cyclist (Male or Female)
– Rob Fraser

Best BMX Cyclist (Male or Female)
– Samantha Cools

Best CX Senior/U23 Cyclist (Male or Female)
– Geoff Kabush

Best Paracycling Cyclist (Male or Female)
– Braydon McDougall (cerebral palsy – CP3)