Ryder Hesjedal, the first Grand Tour winner for Team Garmin-Sharp, has re-signed with the Boulder-based cycling team through 2015, the team announced Friday.
“I am very excited to continue with Garmin-Sharp for another two years,” Hesjedal said in a statement. “I have had the biggest results of my career riding for this team and I’m very happy here. From my teammates to everyone involved with the organization, especially our sponsors and partners, everyone works exceptionally hard for the success of Garmin-Sharp and I want to continue to be a part of that.”
The 32-year-old native of Victoria, British Columbia, won the 2012 Giro d’Italia to become Canada’s first Grand Tour winner. Since joining the team in 2008, he finished sixth in the 2010 Tour de France, helped Garmin-Sharp win the team title at the 2011 Tour de France and has stage wins in the 2009 Vuelta a Espana and 2010 Tour of California.
“Ryder is an important part of the team, not just because of his great results and exceptional talent but also because of who he is,” team CEO Jonathan Vaughters said in a statement. “We have seen his talent grow over his years with us, something we know will continue. He is a Grand Tour champion and an important part of the fabric of Garmin-Sharp. We are thrilled that he will continue with us.”
An upper respiratory infection forced him from this year’s Giro; he will start the Tour de Suiss on Saturday.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299, jhenderson@denverpost.com or
