BMC Racing's Cadel Evans, twice a runner up in the world's biggest bike race, will be able to ride into Paris Sunday knowing he will be the first Australian to ever win the Tour de France, causing a national holiday in his honor. Barring some unfortunate mishap, Evans will race into Paris with the yellow jersey he ripped off the back of Luxembourg's Andy Schleck after Saturday's individual time trial. German time trial specialist Tony Martin of the American HTC-Highroad team won the race, blistering all but Evans by more than a minute.
Starting third to last, with brother Frank and Andy Schleck behind him, Evans hammered the 25-mile race against the clock, never seeming to let off the gas pedal over the rolling course through the city of Grenoble in eastern France, not only making up 57 seconds on race leader Andy Schleck but adding another one minute and 34 seconds. The 34-year-old Australian was simply possessed, racing into yellow, finally exorcising past demons that haunted him in two other failed attempts to win the overall Tour. The hard efforts by both Schlecks the past two days in the Alps seemed to take a bit of a spark out of their legs during the time trial. Both still posted better than normal time trials.
Meanwhile three-time champion Alberto Contador raced superbly and moved into fifth place overall. Thomas Voeckler, the 10-day race leader of this year's Tour de France, raced the time trial of his life to stave off Contador and hold onto fourth place. American Tom Danielson rode great again, solidifying his 9th overall position in his first Tour de France. He will end as the top American.
The Schlecks slipped back to second (Andy) and third (Frank), still fulfilling their goal of two podium places for the Luxembourg brothers. The Schlecks are incredibly popular figures in the world of cycling and have endeared themselves to the world in their battles the past three weeks.
Evans, however, showed great tactics, patience and measured efforts throughout the three-week race. The 2010 World Champion showed tremendous form in all disciplines of racing, something needed to win any Tour de France. He rewarded team management, which included part owner Jim Ochowicz, the long-time general manager of American teams Motorola and 7-Eleven, with a Tour de France team. BMC Racing built its team in 2007 as a Continental team with a five-year plan to win the Tour de France and executed its plan to perfection.
In the shadows of Evans' success was George Hincapie, who helped shepherd his record ninth Tour de France winner into Paris, a feat that may not be equalled. The unselfish 38-year-old from Greenville, South Carolina has now won Tours under Lance Armstrong (seven), Alberto Contador (one) and Evans (one).
Stage 21 Prediction: The final stage into Paris is one of the most prestigious stages to win. It will be hard to bet against Mark Cavendish, the 26-year-old Brit who has scored four wins in this year's Tour. Cavendish is racing to win the green sprint points jersey he is currently donning and should prevail. However, in an upset bid, Tyler Farrar, Andre Greipel or Allesandro Pettachi could win on the famed cobbles of the Champs-Elysees.
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