MONTREAL – Ryder Hesjedal is looking forward to capping off a trying season on home turf.
The Canadian cyclist is set to take part in the Quebec City Grand Prix on Sept. 9 and the Montreal Grand Prix on Sept. 11.
The Victoria native, who finished seventh at last year’s Tour de France, battled back from a rough start at this year’s race to wind up in 18th overall.
Hesjedal paced the peloton for long stretches as he secured position for other cyclists on the Garmin-Cervelo team, which finished first in the team standings.
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He showed his endurance and racing smarts during the 16th stage when he sprung teammate Thor Hushovd to victory in the 162.5-kilometre section. He placed third in that stage while helping Garmin to its fourth stage win to that point.
In Canada, Hesjedal hopes to get to the top of podium.
“It’s something I’ve been looking forward to the whole year and every rider wants to perform well in their home country and be close to their fans,” Hesjedal said Thursday on a conference call. “I feel very fortunate that there are world calendar races in Canada.”
Hesjedal, who finished fourth in Quebec and third in Montreal last year, will be up against some stiff competition.
Six of the top eleven finishers in the 2011 Tour de France – Andy Schleck (2nd), Samuel Sanchez (6th), Damiano Cunego (7th), Tom Danielson (9th), Jean-Christophe Peraud (10th) and Pierre Rolland (11th) – will be in the field.
Hesjedal won’t be the only Canadian trying to leave their mark in Quebec City and Montreal. Toronto’s Michael Barry, Montreal’s David Veilleux and Dominique Rollin of Boucherville, Que., will also be in the field, along with riders from the Canadian-based SpiderTech team.
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