Most cyclists partaking in Tour de Victoria on Sunday are completely okay with HesjedalB次元官网网址檚 absence.

The pro cyclist is in Spain for the three-week Vuelta a Espana, or Tour of Spain, which runs Aug. 23 to Sept. 14.

ItB次元官网网址檚 a little ironic, though, because this yearB次元官网网址檚 Tour de Victoria, a mass participation ride thatB次元官网网址檚 expanded its route through Saanich, was previously scheduled so Hesjedal could participate.

B次元官网网址淧eople understand Ryder is going to compete in the Vuelta,B次元官网网址� said Tour de Victoria director Seamus McGrath, a former pro mountain biker and Olympian.

B次元官网网址淭his might be a better way to give Ryder a chance to win (than in the Tour de France).B次元官网网址�

The West Shore-raised Hesjedal finished an impressive ninth overall at the Giro dB次元官网网址橧talia in May, having won that event in 2012. He then skipped the 2014 Tour de France in July to focus on this weekendB次元官网网址檚 Vuelta start.

When pro cycling teams are scheduling their rosters for the summerB次元官网网址檚 three Grand Tours of France, Italy and Spain, itB次元官网网址檚 common to have elite riders such as Hesjedal do either the Giro (May) and Vuelta (August), or the Tour de France (July) rather than all three.

For the regionB次元官网网址檚 Grand Tour fans, having Ryder starting in the Vuelta the day before the Tour de Victoria is almost more exciting.

B次元官网网址淲ith pro cycling, itB次元官网网址檚 hard to see seven to nine months into the future,B次元官网网址� McGrath said. B次元官网网址淗esjedal had such a great ride at the Giro, (Garmin-Sharp) decided to give him a chance to go for it at the Tour de Spain.B次元官网网址�

This yearB次元官网网址檚 Tour de Victoria is split into three distance groups.

The big ride is 145 kilometres. It starts in front of the B.C. legislature building and goes east through Saanich, View Royal and Colwood, then all the way to Metchosin before looping back through the Highlands.

It then crosses over to Cordova Bay and follows the water south through Saanich and Oak Bay, back to the legislature.

An abbreviated route of 100 km starts in Langford and follows much of the last 100 km of the big route, while an easier 45 km starts at the Camosun College Interurban campus, heads north around Elk Lake and also crosses over to Cordova Bay where it connects with the other routes and finishes on Belleville Street.

B次元官网网址淭he routes are focused heavily on riding in Saanich,B次元官网网址� McGrath said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a favourite area for local cyclists and a treat for people from out of town because of the stunning scenery.B次元官网网址�

The Tour de Victoria grew from 1,350 participants in its first year in 2011 to 1,800 cyclists last year.

McGrath said he anticipates another 1,800 this year but wonB次元官网网址檛 know the numbers until Sunday of as the final count grows in the waning days before the event.

reporter@saanichnews.com