The champagne has been drunk, the Tour is finished, and again this year, Cadel Evans stands on the podium. Just not in the spot we all thought he would be. For the second year in a row, the Aussie rider came in second place, this time behind Spain's Carlos Sastre.
This year's favorite had his chance to take back the yellow jersey in a late tour time trial. But, instead, he faltered. Much has been made of Evans' lack of ability to handle pressure. Maybe all that is true. But, in the grueling three week race, anything can happen. This year was marred again by drugs scandals, right up to the last day when a Kazak rider was discovered right after the trip down the Champs-Elysees. (Damn Borat!!)
Still, it was a good ride, and the cycling world has a lot to be positive about, and I don't mean drug tests. For America, there is Christian Vandevelde, a promising young rider who in years to come could be our next Lance. Back in Oz, Stuart O'Grady was a member of Sastre's team and got to take part in the glory of riding to Paris with the winner.
So, the Tour ends for another year. Another year for Cadel Evans to think about what went wrong, and how good it felt to wear the yellow jersey in stages 10-14.
Who knows? Maybe next year will be his year. Or maybe not. I know I'll be watching to find out.
No comments:
Post a Comment