Cadel Evans brought Tour de France victory to Australia after a century – Cycling News
Australians celebrated their first Tour de France victory as Cadel Evans brought the victory home after 108 years. Evans chased Andy Schleck in Saturday’s time trials in Grenoble as he overcame the lead by Andy and was in the media all across Australia.
His victory has been compared to the winning of Sailing America’s Cup when Australia brought an end to a 132-year monopoly by the United States.
National holiday was announced in Australia after the America’s Cup in 1983 and there was a rumour that if Cadel Evans wins the Tour, Monday will be a national holiday in Australia. Ed Husic, the Australian Federal Member of Parliament was to push for a
national holiday if Evans wins the Tour.
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard stated that celebrations for Evans’ win would be different as she said, “I do want to say very big congratulations to Cadel Evans.” She further added. “I had the opportunity this morning to speak and to personally
offer my congratulations. I believe I disturbed him while he was trying to get a nice, hot bath.”
Evans performance today is an example of hard work and dedication and a message to the people who are doping in cycling and other sports as Turtur told the local Australian news paper.
He further added that the victory is an outcome of great hard work and dedication by him and he has today proved the whole world that the world’s biggest race can be won by playing clean.
Cadel Evans has been the oldest winner of The Tour de France since a long time but he is still expected to score more wins for his country as a top Australian coach said, “He could have another couple in him, for sure—whether he wants to. This was the great
landmark in his mind...this is what he’s lived for.”
Before stage 18 Stuart O’ Greddy, captain of team Leopard Trek stated that Cadel has more chances of winning the Tour than the Schleck brothers. Besides the Tour win, Evans was the King of the Mountain for stage 4 and 5 and also won stage 4.
Tags: