Cadel Evans, welcome to the Grand Tour club

[Timmy-loves-Rabo]

Shows what a wise idea it is to gamble on cycling

short stage races and classics were much kinder to me. I think I am still in the positive overall, for this season anyway.

 

[pitchnduel]

Cadel was strong throughout

Congratulations, but a win that lacked pinache.

No mountain stage victory. No time trial victory.

Can't disagree more with this. The time trial was absolutely clutch and showed he had more left in the tank than any GC contender.

Also, I think his effort in basically singlehandedly pulling the GC contender group back to Andy on the Galibier was spectacular. Trimming that gap down below 4:00 won him this Tour as much as the time trial today...

 

[mewmewmew13]

CADEL!!

He has had SO much bad luck, close calls...he has never given up or stopped trying his heart out.

I really started to appreciate his style after he became the WC and he has never given it less than his best ever since.

Cadel has what it takes to be a true champion and he is humble and real to boot!

Very deserving of this GC crown and this Tour has had some amazing racing!! I am going to be in a deep withdrawal after the Tour is over....
but on to the Vuelta!!

ACF I am so happy for you and your country! Enjoy the celebrations!

 

[kcbworth]

Oldest winner of the tour since Henri Pelissier in 1923

 

[Waterloo Sunrise]

I dont see what makes Sastre any more suspicious than Cuddles.

I don't see what Sastre has got to do with anything I wrote other than tangentially, and no more than 30 or 40 other riders.

 

[kcbworth]

Oldest winner of the tour since Henri Pelissier in 1923

Also only the 3rd TdF winner from outside Europe (after Lance and LeMond)

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

Also only the 3rd TdF winner from outside Europe (after Lance and LeMond)

Fourth after Landis. Interesting that they are all English speakers.

 

[The Hitch]

I wish I put some money on him before the tour

Surely Cadels win means more than all the money in the world to you?

 

[sportzchick]

How Sweet it is!

 

[kcbworth]

In response to those saying "they don't like Cadel in interviews or on Youtube" and "we don't like Cadel's style"...

Cadel has terrible social and media skills - absolutely atrocious - no doubt. In fact, I am pretty sure he must be mildly autistic. He also previously has stressed very badly (kind of like me after 5 mins on a treadmill). And I think in every tour prior to this, he was holding on for dear life, which is a form of wheel sucking I guess, although perhaps is also the sign of the ultimate fighter... not sure. But, in this particular tour, he hasn't put a foot wrong, has rode from the front since day one, has seemed comfortable in front of the cameras (albeit a bit awkward) and for someone to still harbour negativity towards Cadels attitude and style - while understandable - isn't really fair.

This tour he has been the strongest, led the most, finished ahead of the other GC rivals on nearly every stage, rode with an attacking style since day 1 (literally), and showed the most strength over the crucial final 3 days. He climbed the Col del Chevalier over 2 mins faster than Schleck - twice. He dropped Contador and Sanchez ffs. Really deserving champ this year, much more so than his previous 2nd places, and I think any past indiscretions should be forgotton and people should remember Cadel for what he has achieved at this year's race. Not sure if he intends to continue on, but if he can continue this form, hey, who knows how well can do!

 

[Nicoper]

Feeling so proud right now and I am not even an Australian!

Chapeau sir, you won one of the most exciting Grand Tours I have ever seen or heard off.

ps. Australians, you better party like crazy tonight

 

[The Hitch]

I don't see what Sastre has got to do with anything I wrote other than tangentially, and no more than 30 or 40 other riders.

Based on your post history, I wasnt sure if thats what you meant, but when you say that the answer why Cadel couldnt win 2003-10 but can now lies in the clinic, thats how it will be interpreted.

 

[The Hitch]

In response to those saying "they don't like Cadel in interviews or on Youtube" and "we don't like Cadel's style"...

Cadel has terrible social and media skills - absolutely atrocious - no doubt. In fact, I am pretty sure he must be mildly autistic.

His interview after the win was brilliant, at least the one i saw. Said everything right. Asked if his career was complete he said theres always more. Talked about how winning any Grand Tour would have completed his career.

As for your second sentence, while i dont know if its fair to make that kind of evaluation, I always did think he was a bit slow in some ways including the interview yesterday, but thats just another reason to like him.

 

[rzombie1988]

I'm not a Cadel fan but he deserved it. No doubt about it. He also was able to capitalize on the good luck he had whereas Andy was not. I really hope Andy has figured it out that he needs to improve his TT abilities. This is two years straight now where his lack of TT skills cost him.

 

[Amsterhammer]

I never have been, and never will be, a Cadel fan. Nevertheless, I can happily doff my hat to him for being this year's deserved winner. Quite apart from his heroic efforts in the mountains, he rode a monstrous TT today to come within seconds of Tony Martin, who had clearly been saving everything he had left for today.

Deep respect for a worthy winner!

 

[Phlakaton]

Congratulations, but a win that lacked pinache.

No mountain stage victory. No time trial victory.

You have got to be kidding me. Cripes man.

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Congratulations Cadel!

Congratulations to all your fans as well

I certainly didn't expect he would win this year.

+1.

I was doing a fantasy team for a colleague before the Tour and the had Cadel same price as Alberto & Andy, and I was like "wha?".

I am very happy he proved me wrong - he rode a smart race and was aggressive when he needed to be.

Congrats to all his fans as well.

 

[Sørensen]

Grats to Evans and his fans.

 

[the vagabond]

Glad he won. Tremendous effort from the get-go. Also, his wife and his dog seem to love him, which tells me he must be an OK guy.

 

[Carols]

As always le Tour finds the Strongest Man. Cadel was that man in 2011! Bravo Cadel, you earned it!

 

[Aleajactaest]

Great ride by Cadel today. I thought he was going to take the TT win also. He was the strongest and most consistent over the three weeks. A very deserving winner.

It always amuses me that the Green Jersey for the most consistent rider actually goes to the least consistent riders as a group. Cadel won by always being close. His bad days were less bad than everyone elses.

 

[Kwibus]

Shows what a wise idea it is to gamble on cycling

The words wise and gambling can't be combined. Your either wise and don't gamble or your not very wise and do gamble, but atleast it's fun

 

[Boeing]

well I'll be a fig newton

 

[AtletiSK]

I may not be his biggest fan, but he has deserved this win!! Was a tough way to get there, had to overcome many low points in his career, but has never given up. He is a good TdF champion, congratulations!

 

[GWAR79]

Dos Schlekies

"I dont always win Grand Tours, but when I do, I prefer Dos Schlekies. Stay thirsty my friends"

Cadel Evans, the most interesting man in the world