It was always going to be hard for Ryder Hesjedal to match his 2010 season - strong showings in the Ardennes, including second in the Amstel Gold Race; a stage win in the Tour of California and an excellent seventh place in the world’s biggest race, le Tour de France. But 2011 hasn’t exactly been a bad year – with top ten finishes in the Volta ao Algarve, Criterium International, Pais Vasco and Tour of California; and a major contribution to Garmin’s glorious Tour.

Like Cadel Evans, Hesjedal came to the road after a successful career on 26” fat tyres – he was a silver medallist in the world cross country championships at U23 and Elite levels.

Rabobank Continental snapped him up for 2002 and he spent two seasons riding for the Dutch bank’s feeder team.

In 2004 it was the Big League with US Postal and he made the move across to Discovery for 2005, the year of his first Grand Tour – the Giro.

He wore the yellow and Green of Phonak for 2006 and continued his Grand Tour apprenticeship in the Vuelta.

It was a North American programme for 2007, winning the Canadian elite time trial championship for Health Net.

The following year saw him with Jonathan Vaughters; Slipstream became Garmin and he’s been there ever since - there was a share in the team’s Giro TTT triumph and a first ride in the Tour de France.

He started 2009 with strong rides in the Tour Down Under, Strada Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico; rode the Tour again and topped his season with a stunning Vuelta stage win.

Last year was his best to date, the Strada Bianche was to his liking again; then there was that strong Ardennes campaign; a stage win the Tour of California; top ten in the Tour and strong showings at his home races in Montreal (3rd) and Quebec (4th).

Hesjedal finished his 2011 season after the Quebec race and recently took time to talk to PEZ about his season and his plans for 2012.