Ryder Hesjedal withdraws from consideration for Rio Olympics
Canadian cyclist announces decision to exit selection on Twitter
Canadian cyclist Ryder Hesjedal will not be going to the Rio Olympics.
The 2012 Giro d'Italia winner tweeted out his decision to withdraw himself from team selection on Friday.
Been thinking long and hard about Rio and I've decided to take myself out of the selection. Long season ahead. Best of luck Team Canada!!
—@ryder_hesjedalHesjedal recently withdrew from the Giro due to illness. He was in 14th place at the time.
According to The Canadian Press, the 35-year-old Victoria, B.C. native plans to compete in the Quebec City-Montreal Grand Prix races, the Tour of Alberta and his event, Ryder Hesjedal's Tour of Victoria.
The Rio Games would have been Hesjedal's fourth consecutive Olympic appearance. He finished 28th in the individual time trial and 63rd in the road race at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
With files from the Canadian Press