You've probably heard in the news but Cadel Evans has pretty much claimed the the Tour de France, Australias first and only Tour winner evar!

 

Good on him and well done as he rides into Paris in a few hours. I haven't been following the tour closely (not a big fan of road cycling) but he had to beat his closest competitor by about 53 seconds, which he has done. So now all that's left is to ride into Paris and claim his honours.

 

Bloody awesome stuff, what a legend!

 

http://www.news.com.au/national/cadel-evans-wins-the-tour-de-france/story-e6frfkvr-1226100568298

Good on him but he hasn't got it till he's got it !

 

Whats with tradition of the Tour de France where on the last stage no one challenges the yellow Jersey? I mean what if someone wants to break with tradition, Cadel might be up for a **** fight into Paris trying to win?

AFAIK, the last stage in Paris isn't competitive. I could be mistaken

But it is a race, I think if he comes off and gets over taken that way he will loose the Tour de France.

Nup, riders contending for the GC (general classification) don't challenge the yellow jersey leader in the last stage. This is to allow him to ride into Paris victorious. If he fell I wouldn't be surprised if they waited for him

 

The sprinters however still race as this is the last chance for them to win a stage and get some points for the green (sprinters) jersey.

 

Well done Cadel, he did an excellent job on the time trial last night!

He better watch out for any stray cars...

YEEH BOIZ

Watched him absolutely blitz the time trial - he burst off the ramp like a man possessed.

 

All comments about the last stage being non-competitive are correct. He has won.

 

A mighty athletic effort supported by a mighty team, especially George Hincapie - Domestique Extraordinaire, who for so many hours led the group that shielded CE at the front of the peleton.

 

Even if some of these guys take drugs, I don't know how they do it. I'm stuffed after a 70km ride with 1200m of climbing, let alone doing it day-in-day-out at 40kmh!

Yeah you're not allowed to attack on the final stage. You would be a massive disgrace if you did. Also the Paris stage is dead flat so there's no advantage to be had whatsoever. Gaining back 1:30 on a mountain stage is hard enough let alone on a 94km smooth flat sprint stage.

Watched him

 

i told you last night and i'll tell you again, watching other men in lycra pants ride bikes for a yellow shirt is a little on the gay side !

 

but we all know how metrosexual you are Salty

Correct Spider, now let me think, what was the name of that magazine with the list of characteristics of 'Real Men'? I obviously need to revisit that article, what with being nearly 50, and not having made the grade.

 

Would it help if I tell you I had a mouthful of diesel this afternoon?

Would it help if I tell you I had a mouthful of diesel this afternoon?

 

whilst smoking a cigar

Bit more info on what goes on in the last stage from the Courier Mail

 

FANS, sporting greats and the PM hail Cadel Evans as he prepares for almost certain Tour de France victory.

 

Only a serious crash could now rob Evans of becoming Australia's first Tour de France winner in Paris tonight.

 

Tour tradition and a pancake flat stage mean the field will not attack and the general classification places remain unchanged on the final stage from Creteil to Champs-Elysees.

 

Now all Evans has to do is remain with the bunch for the sweetest 95km of his life and cross the finish line.

 

Even if there was an attack, which would be viewed as outrageous by the peloton, it would be near impossible for Andy Schleck to reverse the damage that was done in last night's time trial and make up 1min 34secs.

 

Still, when the race gets to Paris it will come alive for the sprinters and the bunch will hit speeds in excess of 50km/h meaning Evans will want to avoid trouble at all costs.

 

But if there was a serious crash in the peloton and Evans was unable to finish - providing it was in the final 3km he would still be deemed the Tour winner.

Proving yet again that fair dinkum Aussie blokes are prepared

to accept a man who cries at the drop of a hat as a hero if

he makes us all look good.

... I'd be crying after the first stage. And I suspect that I wouldn't have won it. In fact I suspect that after about 10 seconds I wouldn't be able to see the back of the peleton.

... I'd be crying after the first stage. And I suspect that I wouldn't have won it. In fact I suspect that after about 10 seconds I wouldn't be able to see the back of the peleton.

 

LOL