Cycling champion Ryder Hesjedal to receive hero’s welcome in Victoria

Victoria is planning to welcome back hometown sports hero and Giro d’Italia champion cyclist Ryder Hesjedal—once he’s finished competing in the London Olympics, of course.

To celebrate Hesjedal’s historic achievement, a homecoming event hosted by the City of Victoria and the Ryders Cycling Society of Canada is scheduled for August 10.

The event is to feature an on-stage talk with Hesjedal, an autograph table, cycling information booths and demonstrations, food, music, and a beer garden, according to a news release.

In May, Hesjedal became the first Canadian ever to win one of the world’s grand cycling tours when he claimed the prestigious pink jersey in the Giro d’Italia.

In June, he entered the Tour de France as a possible contender for the yellow jersey but dropped out after he was injured in a crash in an early stage of the race.

Hesjedal, a Victoria native, is now focused on the Olympics, competing as Canada’s lone entrant in the men’s road race on July 28 and the men’s individual time trial on August 1.

The homecoming event is scheduled for Friday (August 10) from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Centennial Square in Victoria.