RealGM

Ryder Hesjedal may take a wistful look today at the TV as the riders in the 99th Tour de France make their way down the Avenue des Champs-Élysées without him.

But he has his mind firmly fixed on the next task.

The Victoria cyclist, who was knocked out of the Tour by a nasty crash July 7 in stage six, announced himself fit and ready for the 250-kilometre men's Olympic road race next Saturday, beginning and ending on The Mall in London.

"I got in some good training and am heading to London on Wednesday," said Hesjedal from his base in Spain.

"I've been cycling well with no hindrance whatsoever."

There had been concern after Hesjedal was unable to produce a normal pedal stroke following the crash.

The Island star, this year's Giro d'Italia champion and sixth in the 2010 Tour, sustained massive bruising to his left hip and leg following the Tour calamity but held out hope he would be ready for his third Olympics. He will be. Hesjedal is primed as the lone Canadian to contest the men's road race Saturday and time trial Aug. 1 in London.

Although today may be tinged with longing, the overwhelming glare of the upcoming London Summer Olympics is about to overtake everything in world sport and make the Tour a mere asterisk on the 2012 sporting calendar.

"I would have liked to be out there [finishing the Tour] but it is what it is, and who knows what's going to happen when you get out there on the Tour?" said a philosophical Hesjedal.