Cadel Evans wins the Criterium International 2012
Cadel Evans started the final stage of the Criterium International with only one goal in his mind, the overall classifications.
He was leading the category with a minor advantage over Michael Rogers, Simon Geschke and Maxime Monfort.
The trio was within a minute distance of 2 seconds from the top position and was a real threat to Cadel’s overall spot.
The 35-year-old kept his head still and maintained a firm lead over his major competitors. He finished the 179 kilometre stage at the fourth position and claimed the overall classifications at the race.
Evans was relieved after the race and briefed that the second stage win really boosted his confidence for the final day.
He noted, “Yesterday was a good indication and a nice confidence boost Sometimes things go well and it all comes together. Up until this point, I had trouble bringing things together.
“But I knew to keep working at it and things would come together. It's a good indication, but we have big races still to come”, Cadel concluded.
The Australian thanked his team for their endless support throughout the race and briefed that his side really worked as a unit especially during the third day.
“As a team we worked really well today. Today, the young guys started out and I think for them it was an honor for them to ride in a part of France for the yellow jersey”, he voiced.
Pierrick Fedrigo of Team FDJ-BigMat wins the stage and showed some splendid legs to grab his first victory of the season.
He completed the honours in a fastest time of 4 hours, 52 minutes and 34 seconds.
Rinaldo Nocentini of Team AG2R La Mondiale finished second with Lars Petter Nordhaug of Team Sky Procycling at the third position.
Fedrigo finished 8 seconds behind to grab the second overall position with Michael Rogers at the third position.
Lars Petter Nordhaug of Team Sky and Rinaldo Nocentini of Team AG2R La Mondiale claimed the fourth and the fifth overall positions.
Evans also wins the point’s classifications with a total number of 23 points in his back pocket. Simon Geschke and Michael Rogers finished at the second and the third positions with 18 and 16 points respectively.
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