Hesjedal races to Tour's top after Garmin contract renewal

Ryder Hesjedal, Tour de France 2010, stage 7

Canadian Ryder Hesjedal confirmed today that he extended his contract with Garmin-Transitions for three more years, through to 2013. He signed an agreement prior to the Tour de France, where he currently sits in tenth place.

"Maybe I am riding that well because I had that commitment before the Tour started," Hesjedal said. "That is a big part of the sport, knowing your future is secured."

Hesjedal joined the team in 2008. He had previously raced in Europe with US Postal/Discovery and Phonak, but took a year off to return and race in North America with Health Net-Maxxis.

Riding for Garmin last year, he took his biggest when yet at stage 12 of the Vuelta a España. This year, he placed second at the Amstel Gold Race and ninth at the Flèche Wallonne.

"It has been conformation from day one," he continued. "The team was new and everyone needed each other because we had to prove ourselves and there was a real drive to be there."

Bradley Wiggins had Hesjedal's help to race to fourth overall at last year's Tour de France.

This year, Hesjedal stepped up to lead the team after the team's original leader, Christian Vande Velde, crashed in stage three to Arenberg. He is in the top ten and has the potential to finish in the top five in four days time when the race ends in Paris.

Maybe Hesjedal renewed too soon?

He explained, "I was actually going to ask to talk about that."

Earlier on Wednesday, Garmin-Transitions sporting director Matt White and team soigneur Alyssa Morahan were on hand to answer CW readers' questions>>

Tour de France 2010: Latest news

Armstrong has his last go in the Tour

Tour's points leader Petacchi investigated for doping

Contador issues video apology to Schleck

Millar searches horizon for Eiffel Tower

Schleck-Contador friendship turns sour after chain problem

Wiggins at 2010 Tour: "I haven't got it"

Basso wins Tour's acceptance; podium spot next goal

Contador versus Schleck: A game of seconds

Can Cav win without Renshaw?

Hesjedal pushing his way to the Tour's top

Renshaw disqualification overshadows Cavendish's win

Charly Wegelius pulls out of Tour

Did Armstrong own a stake in Tailwind Sports, or not?

Cavendish in a 'must win' situation for Tour's green jersey

Millar rides through pain barrier to make time cut

Roche alongside Tour's top men ahead of Pyrenees

Wiggins to aim for Tour de France stage win?

Dan Lloyd battles on in Tour despite groin strain

Tour de France 2010: Stage reports

Rest day review (July 21)

Stage 16: Fedrigo takes tough Pyrenean stage

Stage 15: Victorious Voeckler continues fine Franch Tour as Contador takes yellow jersey

Stage 14: Riblon hangs on in Pyrenees to give France fourth stage win

Stage 13: Vino returns to top of Tour after doping ban

Stage 12: Rodriguez wins as Contador attacks

Stage 11: Cavendish bags third stage win but lead out man kicked out of Tour

Stage 10: Cavendish bags third stage win but his lead-out man is kicked out of race

Stage 10: Paulinho claims narrow stage victory on Bastille day

Stage nine: Casar wins stage as Schleck and Contador go head-to-head

Stage seven: Chavanel wins stage and takes overall as Thomas drops out of Tour's white

Stage six: Cavendish makes it two as Tour hots up

Stage five: Cavendish wins his first stage of Tour

Stage four: Petacchi wins into Reims

Stage three: Hushovd takes dramatic win; Thomas second on stage and GC

Stage three live coverage: As it happened

Stage two: Comeback man Chavanel takes victory in Spa

Stage one: Petacchi wins in Brussels as bunch left in tatters

Prologue: Cancellara pips Martin to win

Tour de France 2010: Photos

Stage 15 photo gallery

Stage 14 photo gallery

Stage 13 photo gallery

Stage 12 photo gallery

Stage 11 photo gallery

Stage 10 photo gallery

Stage nine photo gallery

Stage eight photo gallery

Tour 2010 wallpaper

Stage seven photo gallery

Stage six photo gallery

Stage five photo gallery

Stage four photo gallery

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one gallery

Prologue photo gallery

Tour de France 2010: Videos

Stage 16 video highlights

Stage 15 video highlights

Stage 14 video highlights

Stage 13 video highlights

Stage 12 video highlights

Stage 11 video highlights

Stage 10 video highlights

Stage nine video highlights

Stage eight video highlights

Stage seven video highlights

Stage six video highlights

Stage five video highlights

Stage four video highlights

Stage three video highlights

Stage two video highlights

Stage one video highlights

Prologue video highlights

Tour de France 2010: Race guide

Tour de France 2010: Cycling Weekly's coverage index

Official start list, with race numbers

Brits at the Tour 2010

Tout team guide

Tour jerseys: What they are and what they mean

Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Wiggins

Tour de France 2010: Pictures

Tour team presentation, Rotterdam

Tour teams take to the cobbles: Photo special

 

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