Hesjedal was a surprise

“I just took it easy today. It was clear that I wouldn’t be able to move ahead in the GC and nobody would jump ahead of me. The course of the TT was relatively technical, the worst part was the cobblestones,” Roman described.The Canadian Hesjedal secured the overall win. “He has been a surprise. We knew that he could be dangerous but nobody expected that he would clinch the overall win. Anyway, it is a well-earned victory for him as he didn’t have a single bad day. He was simply better than anyone else. Together with Rodriguez he took responsibility at the front from the first day and  profited from his better time trial skills. I kept my fingers crossed for Rodriguez because we are good friends but Hesjedal had everything under his control,” said Roman who hurried for the Astana team dinner.He wasn’t happy with his own performance. “My goal was to reach the podium and I failed to do so. On the other hand, I´m happy about my first Grand Tour victory and it means a lot to me,” he added.21st stage (time trial – 30 km): 1. Pinotti (Ita) 33:06, 2. Thomas (GBr) +39, 3. Sergent (NZl) +53, 4. Rasmussen (Den) +1:00, 5. De Gendt (Bel) +1:01, 6. Hesjedal (Can) +1:09, … 83. Roman Kreuziger (Cze/Astana) +3:29.Final overall standings: 1. Hesjedal 91:39:02, 2. Rodriguez (Spa) -16, 3. De Gendt+-1:39, 4. Scarponi +2:05, 5. Basso +3:44, 6. Cunego (Ita) +4:40, 7. Uran (Col) +5:57, 8. Pozzovivo (Ita) +6:28, 9. Montoya (Col) +7:50, 10. Ituralde (Spa) +8:08, …15. Roman Kreuziger +19:58.