CYCLING CANADA CONGRATULATES SVEIN TUFT, DAVID VEILLEUX AND RYDER HESJEDAL

The three Canadian riders completed the gruelling, 21-day Tour de France

(Ottawa, ON – July 21, 2013) The Tour de France ended today with the traditional last stage finishing at the Champs Elysée, and three Canadians were among the group of riders who crossed the finish line.

Tour de France rookies Svein Tuft of Langley, BC (Orica-GreenEDGE) and David Veilleux of Cap-Rouge, QC (Team EuropCar) finished their first tour appearance, while 2012 Giro d’Italia winner Ryder Hesjesdal of Victoria, BC (Team Garmin-Sharp) concluded the tour as the Top Canadian.

“We are very proud of these three Canadian riders at the Tour de France. Crossing the finish line of the Tour de France is a remarkable feat, and we should all be proud of them. Cycling in Canada has grown exponentially in the recent years, and have three Canadian taking part in the tour is a testament to the growth of cycling,” said Jacques Landry, High Performance Director and Head Coach at Cycling Canada. “With the depth that we are continuing to build, we expect to see more Canadians on the start line in future years.

The Tour de France is the most prestigious race in the World. Over 21 days, riders travelled 3,404 kilometers in some of the most difficult terrain in the World. This year, the tour was comprised of seven flat stages, five hilly stages, six mountain stages with four summit finishes, two individual time trial stages and one team time trial stage.