When Australian Cadel Evans won the Tour De France, he was hailed as a local hero, whose sporting achievements could be ranked alongside the likes of John Bertrand (1983 winner of the America’s Cup) and Rod Laver (winner of all four Grand Slams in the same year, twice).
The Sydney Morning Herald cycling correspondent, Rupert Guinness, who has covered the prestigious race since 1987 said the Tour was “one of Australian sport’s last frontiers”.
“To watch Evans in a near-perfect tour has been an absolute pleasure. He didn’t miss a beat for the entire three weeks,” he said.
The 98th Tour De France took place from Saturday 2 July to Sunday 24 July 2011, comprised 21 stages and covered a total distance of 3,430.5 kilometres.
..the Tour was one of Australian sport’s last frontiers.
Sharing the podium in Paris with Australia’s champion was the Transitions Optical sponsored cycling team, Garmin Cervélo, who celebrated victory as the overall lead team of the 98th Tour de France.
Garmin Cervélo, covered the total combined distance of 10,290km in 258 hours 18 minutes and 49 seconds equipped with high performance Transitions SOLFX sun lenses in Oakley Jawbone frames.
The number one team’s individual triumphs included Tyler Farrar kicking to fourth in the final-stage sprint and debut Tour cyclist, Tom Danielson placing in the overall top ten with ninth position.
“This team is about teamwork, sacrifice, working as a unit, and that’s exactly how we rode this Tour. We came in with high goals and I think we’ve reached all those and more. We did it by working together and staying focused,” said Garmin-Cervélo manager Jonathan Vaughters.
Transitions Optical are in their second year of sponsorship of Team Garmin Cervélo.
“We’re thrilled for the team and send them our congratulations on an excellent triumph in this prestigious cycling event,” says Transitions Optical Marketing Manager for Australia and New Zealand, Kate Mulcahy.
The high performance Transitions SOLFX sun lenses used by the team were ideal for the changing weather and light conditions of the Tour, said Ms. Mulcahy as they “delivered darker lenses in sunny conditions and lighter lenses to assist in cloudy and overcast conditions.”
