Cadel Evans appreciation thread.

[El Pistolero]

First, Cadel certainly did ride a gutsy ride, doing most of the work at the front of his group up the Galibier. He looked to be bogging down a bit in a big gear in the last few kms today, but still managed to cut a little time off the lead AS had built up.

Voeckler, he mostly looked like he was on a joy ride... until the end. He was looking a little tired there. Andy also looked pretty tired at the end.

So all 3 of those guys... TV, AS, and Cadel put in a pretty hard effort. All 3 of them might pay a little bit for it tomorrow. That might give Franklin, who just sat on wheels all day and REALLY had the easy ride, an opportunity to go out like bro Andy did today. Then Andy could just sit on and let the others try to reel Frank back. Advantage Schleck's here I think.

EDIT: If Cadel survives the day tomorrow and then takes yellow in the ITT, he will be on my Tour hero list for the decade (or so).

Andy never looked tired. He was smiling up the entire climb.

 

[MartinGT]

Andy & Cadel showed where they are both contendors for the MJ.

 

[cineteq]

Andy never looked tired. He was smiling up the entire climb.

Sure that's why he lost 1 minute in the last km.

 

[patterson_hood]

Cadel certainly means business in this tour.

I don't think you can blame Voeckler too much, he'd have chucked the jersey away if he tried to help Cadel, this way he got to hang on to it for another day at least.

If it comes down to seconds on the champs will we see a break from one of them?

 

[K-0tic]

Sure that's why he lost 1 minute in the last km.

Wouldn't you be tired after such an impressive attack?

 

[auscyclefan94]

Wouldn't you be tired after such an impressive attack?

cineteq was not saying that. s/he was just saying that saying andy was 'smiling' is not a sign he was not tired.

 

[rickshaw]

First: I am cheering for Cadel Evans... but

Yes he rode and "awsome" ride, but he didn't want to. In his calculating rational way he wanted everyone to line up and take turns pulling back AS. instead of that he was schooled big time by the KING of wheel sucking, TiTi V (who as all know just wanted to stay in yellow another day). He learn3ed the hard way what the General said.

"I would rather have a German division in front of me than a French one
behind me." --General George S. Patton.

 

[mickkk]

Best two days of the best three weeks of his life so far. Bring on the TT.

And if need be, its game on on the Champs d`.

 

[sportzchick]

Best two days of the best three weeks of his life so far. Bring on the TT.

And if need be, its game on on the Champs d`.

I dont think they will race on the Champs....sprint teams will take care of that anyways

Wont count my chickens but he is in the form of his life and the best chance of his life!

GO CADEL!!!!!!!

 

[kcbworth]

I reckon given Andy has finished 2nd twice, Cadel has finished 2nd twice, and it's likely to be a matter of seconds at the end of the ITT, they should race on the Champs

 

[delbified]

"he doesn't attack"
"he doesn't have the heart"
"he can't handle high altitude"
"he can't climb with the best"
"he will crack"
"he tires in the 3rd week"
"he has the wrong build"

i want to know, tell me how wrong feels?

 

[auscyclefan94]

LOL, excellent point. Cadel has proved the doubters wrong every time.

 

[roundabout]

He was great once again. 1 more stage.

 

[Cerberus]

"he doesn't attack"
"he doesn't have the heart"
"he can't handle high altitude"
"he can't climb with the best"
"he will crack"
"he tires in the 3rd week"
"he has the wrong build"

i want to know, tell me how wrong feels?

He can still boink on the ITT or lose 5 minutes on the Paris stage, you wait and see!


















(I'll edit out the smilie if either happens, fair warning)

 

[jsem94]

I really hope he goes past Schleck now, even though they're both deserving winners.

Today, he rode perfectly after the chaingate situation - being able to bridge the gap anyway.

 

[spalco]

I have to say, although I still do not like him, Evans has impressed me a lot this year. He's not the strongest rider, and not the one with the most panache, but he might be the most intelligent - race-intelligence anyway, no idea how smart he in real life. He knows exactly what he can do and how to do it. Andy could learn a lot from him.

 

[roundabout]

Don't underestimate him. He was very strong.

 

[on3m@n@rmy]

Don't underestimate him. He was very strong.

True. I really thought that it showed yesterday when he was trying to limit his losses to ASchleck & AC. Even though near the end of the stage he appeared to be spinning slower, as if he was really laboring, he was actually bringing down the time gap... mostly without help.

 

[auscyclefan94]

It was 1'30 when Evans' team had gone on the Galibier (st19). It was 31 seconds on the top.. He rode like an animal to get back and then still looked strong on the Alpe. Amazing ride...

 

[kcbworth]

If Evans wins, they should nickname the Col du Galibier the Cal du Cadel... he would have won it on the slopes of the Galibier, twice!!!

 

[hfer07]

Evans has earned my respect as a cyclist since he won the World's-He became a different rider-the one that attacks & has initiative-a follower of his own instincts to read wisely the races and get the results. good for him if he wins the tour....

 

[kcbworth]

Wow wow wow!!!! Cadel Evans superhuman. Strongest rider of the tour. Proved that you are a true champion and have put your demons to rest! Two 2nds and now a 1st - one of the best of the current era! Well done!

Shone on the hilly stages early, finished high up in all the sprint stages (finished 5th in Green Jersey comp even), and absolutely dominated the ITT (after 2 of the hardest stages of his life). So deserving, well done Cadel!!!