Hesjedal: Woods' Vuelta a Espana has been 'incredible' so far

Among the throng of spandex-clad citizen riders stomping and paper-boying their way up the Marmot Basin climb before stage 1 at the Tour of Alberta last week, one familiar face stood out from the rest. Ryder Hesjedal, the 2012 Giro d'Italia champion from just west of Alberta in British Columbia, was back in the saddle to support the race.

After Hesjedal, the only Canadian to win a Grand Tour, cleaned up and changed into clothing appropriate for the podium presentation he was about to take part in, Cyclingnews spoke briefly with him about current Canadian sensation Michael Woods (Cannondale-Drapac), who is seventh at the Vuelta a Espana after 17 stages. Hesjedal also commented on the as-yet-unresolved sponsorship issues with his former team, the Slipstream Sports-owned program that is now sponsored by Cannondale.

On the subject of Woods, Hesjedal was full of superlatives for the 30-year-old former collegiate middle-distance runner who signed his first 'pro' contract with a Continental team in 2013.

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"It's incredible," Hesjedal said. "I think everyone saw that he had the capability as an engine a little while back already now. But it takes time, and you can see that. He's been very upfront and honest about that. It's not easy to find your way in the bunch, especially if you come to cycling a bit later.

"I saw him on the ground pretty much every time I raced with him, which is hard, but every time he's bounced back up, and that's what it takes. Now he's there, really, getting a good crack at it. Where he can go from here, nobody knows, and that's what's exciting. It's great to see."

Woods moved from US Continental team Optum Pro Cycling – now Rally Cycling – to Cannondale-Drapac last season and quickly made an impression with two third-place stage finishes and fifth overall at the Tour Down Under. He started his first Grand Tour this year at the Giro d'Italia, where he scored three top-10 stage results and finished 38th overall.

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