Canadian Ryder Hesdejal finishes 7th in the Tour de France

Ryder Hesjedal's  7th place finish is the best finish for a Canadian in the Tour de France since Steve Bauer finished 4th in 1988.

Garmin team rider Ryder Hesjedal of Canada cycles during the individual time-trial 19th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Bordeaux and Pauillac, July 24, 2010. REUTERS/Bogdan Cristel

Ryder Hesjedal of Canada strains during the 19th stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an individual time trial over 52 kilometers (32.3 miles) with start in Bordeaux and finish in Pauillac, south western France, Saturday, July 24, 2010. AP Photo/Laurent Rebours

Canadian Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria, B.C. crosses the finish line to take a fourth place in the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 213 kilometers (132.4 miles) with start in Wanze, Belgium and finish in Arenberg, France, Tuesday July 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)

Garmin team rider Ryder Hesjedal of Canada takes the start of the start of the individual time-trial 19th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Bordeaux and Pauillac July 24, 2010. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Ryder Hesjedal of Canada waits to take the start of the eighth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 189 kilometers (117.4 miles) with start in Station des Rousses, and finish in Morzine-Avoriaz, France, Sunday, July 11, 2010. AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski

Canadian rider Ryder Hesjedal (right), of Victoria, B.C., chases stage winner Thor Hushovd of Norway (centre) during the final sprint during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 213 kilometers (132.4 miles) with start in Wanze, Belgium and finish in Arenberg, France, Tuesday July 6, 2010. (AP Photo/Laurent Rebours

Canadian Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria, B.C., center rides on a cobblestone section during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 213 kilometers (132.4 miles) with start in Wanze, Belgium and finish in Arenberg, France, Tuesday July 6, 2010. Hesjedal held the lead late in the third stage of the Tour de France before he was swallowed by the pack. AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski

Canadian Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria, B.C., autographs a Canadian flag prior to the start of the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.5 kilometers (116.5 miles) with start in Epernay and finish in Montargis, eastern France, Thursday, July 8, 2010. AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski

Jurgen van den Broeck of Belgium, Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, and Ryder Hesjedal of Canada, left to right, climb towards Port de Bales pass during the 15th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 187.5 kilometers (116.5 miles) with start in Pamiers and finish in Bagneres-de-Luchon, Pyrenees region, France, Monday, July 19, 2010. AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski

Ryder Hesjedal of Canada gives a cap back to a fan after autographing it prior to the start of the 16th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 199.5 kilometers (124 miles) with start in Bagneres-de-Luchon and finish in Pau, Pyrenees region, France, Tuesday, July 20, 2010. AP Photo/Christophe Ena

Ryder Hesjedal of Canada, left, is followed by Thor Hushovd of Norway as they ride in the breakaway group during the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 210.5 kilometers (130.8 miles) with start in Bourg-de-Peage, and finish in Mende, France, Friday, July 16, 2010. AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski

Ryder Hesjedal of Canada leads the breakaway group with Vasil Kyryienka of Belarus, far left, Andreas Kloden of Germany, second right, and Alexandre Vinokourov of Kazakhstan, second left, during the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 210.5 kilometers (130.8 miles) with start in Bourg-de-Peage, and finish in Mende, France, Friday, July 16, 2010. AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski

Ryder Hesjedal of Canada, center, rides in the pack during the 11th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 184.5 kilometers (114.6 miles) with start in Sisteron and finish in Bourg-les-Valences, France, Thursday, July 15, 2010. AP Photo/Bas Czerwinski

Comments

[Kirk]

Congrats Ryder, you did your country proud!!

[Jose]

Fantastic photo, fantastic cyclist, fantastic result! GO CANADA!!!!!!!