Music: {allcanada} Hesjedal mum on Tour de France status

Monday, May 28, 2012

{allcanada} Hesjedal mum on Tour de France status

Ryder Hesjedal wouldn't clarify his status for the upcoming Tour de France.

The 2012 Giro d'Italia champion joined Brady & Lang on Sportsnet 590 The Fan Monday morning where he said he needs to see how he recovers before making any further decisions for the Tour de France.

"We'll see, we'll make a plan, Hesjedal told Brady & Lang. It's same as 2008 - did the giro and tour de france and didn't race in between .Just took a break ,recover, and do a period of training and start the Tour de France fresh in a sense of no race days beforehand. Not a better way to get ready…It's a very classic preparation to do the Giro before the Tour.

Listen to Ryder Hesjedal

"Just have to see how you've come out of it and figure out the steps for recovering from it.We'll have a look at that with the team but there are other races that are important. Have to look at the calendar very closely and start to define my goals.

Since winning the Giro d'Italia on Sunday, Hesjedal has been thrilled with the overwhelming support he's received in Canada.

"I've been able to see some of the stuff on the computer and it's overwhelming how people have really embraced the sport," Hesjedal said. "I'm just happy that people know that there's great cycling events all year."

The longtime Canadian cyclist is pleased that his sport has drawn major attention in his home country over the past week.

"I think I've already realized that from the participation in the Tour de France," he said. "Happy to keep that going and keep that awareness. It's very empowering and pleased people are excited about it."