February 9, 2010 – We’re excited to announce that top pro cyclist, Ryder Hesjedal of Team Garmin-Transitions, from Victoria, BC, has joined Pedal Magazine as a featured columnist this season with “Ryder Report”. Hesjedal distinguished himself last season winning Stage 12 at the Vuelta de Espana on Sept. 11, making history as the first Canadian to win a stage at the Vuelta. He was also in the record books two days earlier placing second on Stage 10 at the Vuelta.

Hesjedal’s career began as a top mountain bike cross-country racer. He turned professional in 1999 after leaving the junior ranks with a silver medal in the MTB Worlds at Mont Sainte-Anne, Quebec in 1998. He continued to make his mark on the MTB scene with multiple World Cup podium visits and US NORBA wins. This included an MTB World Cup victory at the finals in Les Gets, France in 2002 and the U23 MTB World Cup overall title; adding his 7th world championship medal with a silver at the MTB Worlds in Lugano, Switzerland in 2003 and that same year he collected three wins on his way to winning the US MTB National Series overall title.

Soon after Hesjedal quickly made a name for himself in road cycling placing fifth overall at the Classica Primavera in 2004, fourth overall at the Volta a Catalunya in 2006, and 10th at the Tour of California along with winning the Canadian National TT title in 2007. He was on the podium as part of famed Garmin-Slipstream TTT team that won Stage 1 at the 2008 Giro d’Italia – another Canadian first.

Hesjedal is one of only a few Canadian riders to compete in all of cycling’s Grand Tours including the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta d’Espana. In 2008 he joined Steve Bauer as the only other Canadian to finish both the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France since Bauer did back in 1987.

“I’m excited about sharing my thoughts and experiences with Pedal readers both in the magazine and online,” said Hesjedal. “It’s great to join the Pedal team with others like Steve Bauer and Michael Barry, to help promote Canadian cycling and the sport. With a strong group of Canadian men now riding at the pro level – three of them on Team Garmin-Transitions – it’s a big boost for Canada and with two ProTours in Quebec in 2010 the stage is set for more good things to come.”

“It’s an honour to have Ryder on board at Pedal. He’s had an amazing career in both MTB and road cycling and is clearly destined for more great performances. He’s done so much for the sport and this is a great opportunity for readers across Canada to get up close and personal with one of cycling’s top riders,” said Benjamin Sadavoy, Pedal’s publisher/editor.

Hesjedal’s first column will appear in Pedal’s Annual Buyer’s Guide 2010 season launch issue released at the end of February. In addition Pedal and Ryder will develop a pro-active on line component for readers at ryderhesjedal.ca and www.pedalmag.com. Pedal Magazine is Canada’s leading cycling magazine and covering all aspects of the sport for over 20 years.