Evans joins Bradman, Laver, Freeman, Thorpe at the pinnacle
Roar Guru By Ben Waterworth, 26 Jul 2011 Ben Waterworth is a Roar Guru
- Tagged:
- Cadel Evans, Cycling, Tour de France
We often overuse adjectives in the sports fraternity. When we’re caught up in the moment, words such as ‘champion’, ‘legend’, ‘hero’ and ‘icon’ roll off the tongue ever so eloquently.
They’re haphazardly tossed around, as if they were a beach ball being volleyed in Bay 13 of the MCG during a cricket match.
But never before have these terms been so appropriate.
Cadel Evans is now all of those adjectives.
It’s official – he’s a champion, a hero, an icon, a legend. He can now be placed into the same league as Sir Donald Bradman, Rod Laver, Ian Thorpe and Cathy Freeman – all Australian sporting legends.
In the early hours of Monday morning, Evans did what no Aussie had been able to accomplish before him – win the Tour de France.
Cycling’s annual pinnacle event is the quintessential sporting challenge.
For three weeks, competitors battle the unforgiving and – at times – dangerous 3,600 kilometre course. It’s demanding both physically and mentally and it’s what separates boys from men.
The Tour is more than a bike race. It’s a prestigious narrative, accompanied by gorgeous scenery and humbling traditions. It’s poetry in motion.
In its 108-year history, 44 Australians had attempted to finish the Tour wearing the coveted yellow jersey. All failed. In fact, eight men couldn’t cope with some of the gruelling stages and never had the privilege to parade into Paris.
But not Cadel. Not our Cadel. He wouldn’t be denied a victory.
The 34-year-old’s triumph was one of the finest individual efforts by an Australian sportsman – ever. Greg Baum wrote in The Age on Monday, ‘if Cadel Evans’ victory is not the single most heroic Australian sporting accomplishment of all, it is at least the equal of any preceding it’.
Sleep-deprived Australians battled red eyes to watch Evans fight back tears as he was presented with the yellow jersey in the middle of Paris. It was a special moment that humbled the hearts of all who watched on.
However this wasn’t a race Evans won easily over 21 days. This was a race won over an entire lifetime, one filled with adversity but epitomised by sheer perseverance.
Prior to 2011, the quiet and unassuming cyclist had raced in six Tours. In his first two attempts, he finished eighth (2005) and fourth (2006). He then came agonisingly close in 2008 and 2009, finishing in second spot by less than a minute on both occasions.
Evans went into the 2009 Tour as the man to beat, but he buckled under the weight of expectation and subsequently slumped to finish 30th. Then a crash in the eighth stage of the 2010 Tour, which left him with a hairline fracture in his left elbow, meant he finished his campaign in a disappointing 26th.
But nothing was going to stand in the skinny champion’s way this time. Nothing at all.
Evans’ 2011 campaign was near-perfect. His preparation was faultless and everything seemed to go according to plan over the three-week event.
Clearly Evans’ finest moment came during the 20th-stage time trial on Saturday night.
Luxemburg’s Andy Schleck made a classy and well-timed move in the French alps during the previous stage. He overtook France’s Thomas Voeckler to shoot out to a commanding 57-second leadwith two stages to go.
Cue miraculous Evans comeback.
The Australian pushed himself to his very limits and produced 42.5 kilometres of fine riding. Not only did he overhaul Schleck’s 57-second advantage, he shored up first-place by going a further 94 seconds ahead of Schleck – all without the help of his BMC teammates.
True champions perform when they’re exposed and vulnerable. True champions fight back from anywhere. True champions push themselves to the very limit.
Evans became a true champion. And his life changed forever.
Towards the end of the final stage in Paris, Evans was given a glass of champagne by non-riding members of his team in a car, knowing victory was his. And victory must never have tasted so sweet.
So can Evans win another Tour de France?
BMC’s chief sporting director John Lelangue believes so. Evans’ father Paul thinks he can. Renowned Australian cycling coach Dave Sanders reckons he can become a multiple Tour winner if he wants to.
Time will tell.
But for now, let’s reflect, rejoice and marvel at Cadel Evans – Australia’s newest sporting hero.
Welcome to the legends club, Cadel.
This article first appeared on Upstart’s From The Grandstand
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The Crowd Says (13) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- Cadel Evans, Cycling, Tour de France
July 26th 2011 @ 3:09pm
John said | July 26th 2011 @ 3:09pm | Report comment
This is a very good post Ben, my heroes are the Aussies who battle every night of Le Tour (with excuses accepted for flat stages sprint battles ie the first week) to stay up and watch. SBS are to be applauded, as well.
July 26th 2011 @ 3:32pm
Seano said | July 26th 2011 @ 3:32pm | Report comment
Cathy Freeman? Legend? she won one race and on that night the world champ pulled out injured, she never got a world record, NEVER! How can you put her in the same standing as Don Bradman (best ever) Ian thorpe (best ever olympian) Rod Laver (best ever tennis) and Cadel (best cyclist, world champ and tour victory) you cant be serious! No world record or continued success get of the legend list cathy!! You were just an ok runner who snagged one gold!
July 26th 2011 @ 7:19pm
amazonfan said | July 26th 2011 @ 7:19pm | Report comment
I also wouldn’t put Cadel in the same group as Bradman and Laver. Cadel is fantastic, and may very well be our greatest ever cyclist, but Bradman and Laver were arguably the greatest in their respective sports from any country. Additionally, both IMO are among the five greatest sportsmen of all time. So I disagree with Ben’s assertion that Cadel has joined the same club as Laver & Bradman.
BTW, Seano, Cathy won an Olympic gold medal (which she absolutely deserved), an Olympic silver medal, & two world titles, so there isn’t much of a difference between her and Cadel.
July 26th 2011 @ 8:51pm
Ben Waterworth said | July 26th 2011 @ 8:51pm | Report comment
Appreciate the comments guys, but can’t agree.
Cadel is an Australian sporting legend. First ever Australian to win the toughest and most demanding (both physically and mentally) sporting event in the world. Forty-four Australians had tried before him, he was the first. And he eptiomises perseverance, after coming so close on numerous occasions. He also won the World Championship in 2009. Legend.
As for Cathy, well what can you say? Won an Olympic gold with an entire nation on her shoulders. Perhaps the greatest moment in Australian sporting history. But as amazonfan said, won an Olympic silver, two world titles as well as numerous Commenwealth medals.
July 26th 2011 @ 4:09pm
Aware said | July 26th 2011 @ 4:09pm | Report comment
Herb Elliot better than them all. Never beaten over the mile.
July 26th 2011 @ 9:29pm
jamesb said | July 26th 2011 @ 9:29pm | Report comment
its funny how people forget about keiren perkins swim in ’96.
IMO Evans is just behind Bradman and Laver, while on a par with Ian Thorpe.
ATM, Australia winning the Americas Cup is still bigger than Cadels win at “le tour”. But I beleive as years go by, Evans achievement will outgrow the Americas cup victory.
Think its fair to say Cadel Evans will win Australian Sportsperson of the year
July 26th 2011 @ 9:37pm
Aware said | July 26th 2011 @ 9:37pm | Report comment
Perkins and Thorpe in a sport virtually set aside for white Europeans, slowly changing now.
Bradman played in sport played by 7 or 8 countries at a high level.
Laver played at a time when only 6 or 7 countries played high level tennis.
Evans is in a sport nearly exclusively dominated by white Europeans.
…
Contrast to Herb Elliot who won a gold medal at the olympics while breaking the 1500 metre world record; broke the 4 minute mile 17 times and was never beaten over the mile or 1500 meters, in a sport where all races compete at a high level, slightly less so, admittedly, in his day. I know who I plug for.
July 26th 2011 @ 10:49pm
jamesb said | July 26th 2011 @ 10:49pm | Report comment
Herb Elliot is a great choice Aware.
its just that whenever i hear the name Herb, it reminds me of Herbs and Spices, or that guy from two and a half men
July 26th 2011 @ 11:05pm
Aware said | July 26th 2011 @ 11:05pm | Report comment
I hope you’re not imbibing James. I mean, at least wait for Friday!
July 28th 2011 @ 6:35pm
jamesb said | July 28th 2011 @ 6:35pm | Report comment
actually i don’t touch any of it, only on occasions
July 27th 2011 @ 5:16am
Scotty said | July 27th 2011 @ 5:16am | Report comment
I would put Evans up there with Elliott, Bradman, Laver or Heather McKay (you think Herbs record was great – check out hers!) as to win Le Tour even one time is an increadible achievement. Yeah I’m biased, I used to be a competative cyclist (I was mediocre on the road but enjoyed the track season) at a very low level and I have a deeper knowledge of the Tour and what it takes to win it than most; not through riding dearie me no! But through being a fan and follower of it for about 30 years, and then being fascinated by the history of it right back to the beginning. A few years ago a cycling magazine published a special edition dedicated to all of the surviving winners of the Tour, whom they interviwed. What stood out among thr Armstrongs, Big Migs, The Badger and Fast Eddy (sadly now fat Eddy) was the interview with Roger Walkowiak, the winer in 1956. He wasn’t a fancied rider, but through those greulling soul-destroying days in July he steadily built his standing until HE was the toughest hombre on the road, sheer guts, and he won – and thats something that is special for all time. Just like Cadel Evans is. Charly Gaul. Fausto Coppi. All legends in my book.
July 28th 2011 @ 5:47pm
mushi said | July 28th 2011 @ 5:47pm | Report comment
Really so in winning one event he gets to the greatest of all time conversation.
In 15 years time Cadel is going to be the answer to a trivia question whislt some one else incredulous is compared to Bradman and Laver
July 29th 2011 @ 2:37am
amazonfan said | July 29th 2011 @ 2:37am | Report comment
I can not believe that Dawn Fraser hasn’t been mentioned. She was probably the greatest female swimmer of all time. Not to mention Margaret Court, perhaps the greatest female tennis player of all time. Also Shane Warne, the greatest leg-spinner of all time. Herb Elliot, and Heather McKay, have been mentioned, which is great. Although I wonder what people think of Walter Lindrum? Can we consider billiards a sport?
Australia has been blessed with numerous great sportspeople, however when discussing the best of the best of the best; the legends, I would single out three: Bradman, Laver, & Fraser. Bradman was arguably the greatest cricketer of all time, and is one of the few Aussie sportsmen to be revered as much (perhaps more in some cases) overseas than at home. Laver remains IMO the greatest tennis player of all time. He, along with Bradman, is also IMO among the five greatest sportsmen of all time (along with Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, & Pele.) Fraser was not simply the greatest female swimmer of all time, but pound for pound, may very well be the greatest Australian swimmer of all time.
Cadel’s achievement was extraordinary, and I love Cathy, however neither of them IMO belong in the top group, especially since neither are considered to be the greatest of all time in their respective sport by anyone.