Hesjedal Giro stage 20After another seven-hour day in the saddle, Canadian Ryder Hesjedal finished a strong 17th on today’s penultimate stage. He endured the evil 12.8 km Passo del Mortirolo, snow on the Gavia (pictured right), and average grades ranging from 7-10.3%.

“The last two days have been the definition of epic in every way! Yesterday I was completely empty. It was the worst I have felt this Giro,” said Ryder. “But today I was the opposite. I was able to bounce back with the help of our super support system…the staff. To be in good shape at the end of a 3-week epic is a true testament to a lot of hard work by all. I am very pleased with today and looking forward to Milan.”

Tomorrow’s individual time trial stage promises to keep fans in suspense until the very end.

Slipstream Results Stage 20
1. Emanuele Sella 6:52′45″

17. Ryder Hesjedal +10′53″
72. Christian Vande Velde +35′20″
74. David Millar +35′20″
140. Danny Pate +37′19″

Slipstream GC
1. Alberto Contador Velasco 89:23′25″

52. Christian Vande Velde +1:44′16″
61. Ryder Hesjedal +2:00′07″
95. David Millar +2:56′47″
139. Danny Pate +4:07′34″