Purple patch continues for Garmin Slipstream

First Canadian to win a Vuelta stage, Ryder Hesjedal.

First Canadian to win a Vuelta stage, Ryder Hesjedal. (Image credit: AFP Photo)

Joking a few days ago on Twitter that pagan sacrifices might be the way to break Garmin Slipstream’s unbelievable run of near misses in Grand Tour stages, Jonathan Vaughters must be thanking the ancient gods after another superb day for the team. Two days ago Tyler Farrar galloped to victory on stage eleven of the Vuelta a España, landing the first individual win for the Argyle Armada in a three week race. Farrar headed home on Thursday’s rest day, but Ryder Hesjedal made it two from two today, infiltrating a decisive breakaway and then catching and outsprinting David Garcia (Xacobeo Galicia) on the Alto de Velefique.