Rio proved to be an Olympic Games too far.
Ryder Hesjedal will not become a rare four-time Olympian.
The Victoria professional cyclist took himself out of consideration for the Canadian team to the 2016 Summer Games, which begin Aug. 5.
The Colwood-raised 2012 Giro d鈥橧talia champion announced his decision Friday on Twitter: 鈥淏een thinking long and hard about Rio and I鈥檝e decided to take myself out of the selection. Long season ahead. Best of luck Team sa国际传媒!!鈥�
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 sa国际传媒!!
鈥� Ryder Hesjedal (@ryder_hesjedal)
Hesjedal was in 14th place on May 21 when he abandoned the 2016 Giro midway through the 14th stage suffering from an inflammation of the pharynx and trachea. His plans for the rest of the season were not disclosed.
Considering he will be 39 in 2020, when the next Summer Games roll around in Tokyo, Friday鈥檚 announcement means Hesjedal鈥檚 career will likely end without an Olympic medal.
The Islander went into two of his three Olympics highly touted. He was fresh off his 2012 Giro title at the London Olympics. But being the lone Canadian, Ryder had no rider support as he got boxed in and placed 63rd in the road race. He was 28th in the London time trial.
Hesjedal鈥檚 best chance for an Olympic medal may have been at Athens in 2004 as a mountain biker. The Belmont Secondary graduate went into the Athens Games as the defending silver medallist from the 2003 world championships, but his Games dream was shattered when he flatted just minutes into the 2004 Olympic race. He sat dejected by the side of the trail as riders passed.
Hesjedal then switched to road racing, becoming the first Canadian to win a Grand Tour event, and compiling a combined total of three top-five finishes in the Giro and Tour de France. He was 55th in the road race and 16th in the time trial at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The annual Ryder Hesjedal鈥檚 Tour de Victoria is Aug. 21, with Hesjedal scheduled to headline his hometown mass participation ride.
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