 He also rode the first 4 stages of the Tour de Romandie, but he did not complete the race since wanted to keep him rested in preparation for the Giro d'Italia, where he would be the team's leader for the overall classification, while his team-mate Tyler Farrar's task would be to contest the sprint finishes.His Giro that year got off to a good start, won the team time trial and put Hesjedal in fourth overall and within reach of the overall lead.On May 12, he became the first Canadian to lead the overall classification of the Giro and wear the pink jersey as leader of the general classification.