Australian Cadel Evans is on the brink of immortality. After finishing runner-up by less than a minute in 2007 and 2008 it seems this years Tour de France is his for the taking.
Just two years ago, the Tour de France destroyed the hope of Evans. Last night the Schleck brothers (Andy and Frank), in staging a winning break on the ascent of the Col du Izoard, could have done the same. But last night, in the gruelling 18th stage, the Australian again showed his class when he ignited a solo chase to pull back time on the brothers.
Whilst reigning champion Alberto Contador has conceded defeat saying “it’s impossible” Evans says “it’s my Tour to win and mine to lose.”
He is now fourth place overall, just 1min 12seconds off the yellow jersey wearer Voeckler, who is expected to relinquish his lead tonight to either Evans or one of the Schleck brothers who are in second and third position.
Meanwhile… Thor Hushovd, of the Transitions Optical sponsored cycling team, Garmin Cervélo, claimed his second stage victory of the Tour in Tuesday’s 16th stage
Garmin-Transitions Team
Meanwhile, in other race news, reigning world champion, Thor Hushovd, of the Transitions Optical sponsored cycling team, Garmin Cervélo, claimed his second stage victory of the Tour in Tuesday’s 16th stage from Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux to Gap.
Hushovd made a sprint to the finish ahead of Norwegian Edvald Boasson Hagen and Garmin Cervélo teammate, Ryder Hesjedal, in his second stage win and his team’s fourth stage win in this year’s Tour de France. Hushovd and teammate Ryder Hesjedal, who finished in third place, have continued a dream run from Garmin Cervélo in this year’s Tour.
“The team rode a perfect team tactic today. Ryder had his chance on the final climb and he was going alone. I really thought he had a good chance of winning the stage, then Edvald chased him down and I sat on his wheel,” said Hushovd.
“Then I was able to make the sprint to win the stage. A big, big thanks to him for helping me and I am sorry for him that he couldn’t stay up the road to win the stage.”
Finishing in third place for the day, Hesjedal achieved his best ever Tour stage result and helped the team claim another stage victory.
“We rode a perfect race. We wanted to attack on the climb to lose some of the riders in the breakaway. I went hard, but Boasson Hagen came from behind. Thor was strong to be right there, so it was great. I am just glad to be there to help deliver another win for the team,” said Hesjedal.
Overall, teammate Tom Danielson remains in 9th place and is confident he can finish in the top 10 in Paris in the final stage of the Tour.
Transitions Optical is sponsoring the team for the second consecutive year. As official eyewear for team Garmin Cervélo, Transitions equips the riders with Transitions SOLFX lenses fitted into Oakley Jawbone frames.
“We are proud to fit the team with our SOLFX sun lenses which are darker in sunny conditions and lighter through shady patches,” says Kate Mulcahy, Marketing Manager of Transitions Optical Australia and New Zealand. “The riders have comfort, convenience and protection through the Tour’s 21 stages.”
The 19th stage of this year’s Tour continues tonight across the Alps.
