Ryder Hesjedal claimed Canada’s first ever stage victory in the Tour of Spain on Friday, while Dutchman Robert Gesink closed the gap on overall leader Alejandro Valverde.
The former Canadian national champion outpowered breakaway companion David Garcia Dapena of Spain to clinch the 12th stage, the second win for his Garmin-Slipstream team in three days.
Garcia Dapena had attacked close to the foot of the 13km Velefique climb, but Hesjedal caught the Spaniard halfway up and then outsprinted him at the finish.
“It was the perfect scenario all day,” Hesjedal said. “I got in a good break, we worked well together all day and then I still had enough strength left at the end to drop my rivals and catch the guy ahead.”
Hesjedal said narrowly missing the victory on stage 10, where he finished second behind Australian Simon Gerrans, had increased his motivation.
“I was more determined than ever to win after that, and fortunately even though the guys were closing [the gap behind] I had enough speed to win,” he said.
Asked if he thought he could go for another win in the next two mountain stages, Hesjedal said: “I’ve no idea, I’m still in a state of shock that I managed to win this one.”
Gesink finished third behind the two breakaways after a powerful attack on the main group of favorites 2km from the summit.
The Dutchman opened a gap of 10 seconds on race leader Valverde and grabbed an eight-second time bonus.
Overall, Spain’s Valverde remains in the lead, with Australian Cadel Evans in second at seven seconds, while Gesink is 18 seconds back in third.
“It’s clear we can’t let Gesink get away again,” Valverde told reporters. “Today I was shadowing Evans and the important thing is I’m still leader.”
Gesink said he was pleased to have made up some time.
“My only regret is I didn’t get the stage win,” he said. “But I’m still happy I pulled back some time.”
The 2006 winner Alexander Vinokourov of Kazakhstan was one of four riders who abandoned during stage 12. The Astana rider quit close to the finish.
“It’s nothing in particular, he’s just got too tired to continue,” Astana sports director Sean Yates told reporters.
The Tour of Spain finishes next Sunday in Madrid.
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