Cadel Evans could not have scripted Stage 4 of the 2011 Tour De France any better. The Australian won his first ever road stage of the Tour and managed to not claim the yellow jersey.
In a thrilling, gut-busting finish up Brittany’s Alpe d’Huez, Evans survived a late lunge by Alberto Contador to win on the line by less than half a wheel.
Yellow jersey holder, Thor Hushovd, was indefatigable in the 2km climb up Mûr-de-Bretagne. He refused to yield the one solitary second which would have seen him relinquish the jersey to Evans – a big positive for Cadel.
Thushovd finished 20 metres behind Evans in sixth position, but was given the same time. Barring any suprises, he can now expect to carry the yellow until the Tour hits the Pyrenees on Bastille Day.
Hot stage favourite, Phillipe Gilbert, could only manage fifth. Alberto Contador’s energy sapping surge halfway up the climb put paid to his chances of a second stage win.
Evans was quick to thank his fellow BMC Racing team mates for the stage victory.
A mechanical problem saw a bike change with 20kms to go. Marcus Burghardt worked hard to help his leader back into the peloton.
Veteran George Hincapie then set a searing pace at the head of the peloton in the lead up to the climb.
Ironically, the team was also rewarded by Evans not claiming yellow.
The team can concentrate now on looking after Evans in the lead up to the big climbs, rather than working hard to protect the jersey on the flat stages to come.
Which brings us to tonight’s fifth stage.
The Tour stays in Brittany with a 164.5 km flat stage from Carhaix to Cap Fréhel with the final 70kms along the scenic coastline.
This is Cavendish country.
Mark Cavendish has won the fifth stage of the Tour twice already in 2008 and 2010. With lead out fish Aussie Mark Renshaw, the HTC Highroad team will be hoping Cavendish will do the business again and in the process secure a remarkable 16th stage victory.
Cavendish and his team have to be wary. Garmin Cevelo’s Tyler Farrar is in red hot form.
He backed up his win in Stage 3 by beating his main rivals, including Cavendish, in last night’s intermediate sprint.
But who am I to doubt Cavendish. Yesterday, he tweeted”
“Doubters, look at yourselves! Something more foolish than someone who knows nothing, is someone who knows nothing but thinks they know all.”
So there you have it, Cavendish for the win tonight.
Stage 4 Results
POS No. Name Team Time
1 141 Cadel EVANS BMC 04:11:39
2 001 Alberto CONTADOR SBS 04:11:39
3 061 Alexandre VINOKOUROV AST 04:11:39
4 118 Rigoberto URAN SKY 04:11:39
5 032 Philippe GILBERT OLO 04:11:39
6 051 Thor HUSHOVD GRM 04:11:39
7 018 Frank SCHLECK LEO 04:11:39
8 021 Samuel SANCHEZ EUS 04:11:39
9 031 Jurgen VAN DEN BROECK OLO 04:11:39
10 074 Andréas KLÖDEN RSH 04:11:39
Overall Standings
POS No. Name Team Time Gap
1 051 Thor HUSHOVD GRM 13:58:25 00:00:00
2 141 Cadel EVANS BMC 13:58:26 00:00:01
3 018 Frank SCHLECK LEO 13:58:29 00:00:04
4 056 David MILLAR GRM 13:58:33 00:00:08
5 074 Andréas KLÖDEN RSH 13:58:35 00:00:10
6 111 Bradley WIGGINS SKY 13:58:35 00:00:10
7 117 Geraint THOMAS SKY 13:58:37 00:00:12
8 114 Edvald Boasson HAGEN SKY 13:58:37 00:00:12
9 011 Andy SCHLECK LEO 13:58:37 00:00:12
10 013 Jakob FUGLSANG LEO 13:58:37 00:00:12
41 001 Alberto CONTADOR SBS 14:00:07 00:01:42
Green Sprint Jersey Standings
POS No. Name Team Points
1 088 Jose Joaquin ROJAS MOV 82
2 141 Cadel EVANS BMC 80
3 032 Philippe GILBERT OLO 77
4 051 Thor HUSHOVD GRM 70
5 054 Tyler FARRAR GRM 68
Overall Standing – Australians
POS No. Name Team Gap Time
2 141 Cadel EVANS BMC 00:00:00 13:58:26
60 005 Richie PORTE SBS 00:02:39 14:01:05
85 113 Simon GERRANS SKY 00:03:59 14:02:25
95 174 Matthew Harley GOSS THR 00:04:21 14:02:47
113 016 Stuart O’GRADY LEO 00:06:09 14:04:35
121 177 Mark RENSHAW THR 00:06:51 14:05:17
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