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Cadel Evans or Andy Schleck will become the Tour De France Champion of 2011 at the completion of tonight’s 42.5 km individual time trial. After covering 3292.5 kms over 19 stages, only 57 seconds separate the two riders.
The two riders finished together at the end of the legendary climb of Alpe d’Huez, 57 seconds behind the winner, Pierre Roland.
Yes, the stage result was what everyone was hoping for, but it was the way Cadel raced which has won him the admiration of an entire nation.
Alberto Contador mounted an early assault on the first climb of the day, the Col Du Telegraphe. He valiantly set about the task of defending his title.
Evans found himself in the small lead group with Andy Schleck when disaster struck while trying to counter another Contador attack. His bike failed him.
It was the first time misfortune had struck Evans in this year’s tour and it could not have come at a worse time.
He got off his bike not once, but three times. Contador and Schleck were disappearing into the distance and a nation collectively suffered an anxiety attack.
But, much to everyone’s surprise, the calmest man in the middle of this crisis was Cadel. He was positively Zen. Unlike in times past, he wasted no emotional energy.
Instead, he was like Eastwood in a spaghetti western. He was quite simply implacable. He mounted his replacement bike and got on with the job of winning the Tour de France.
He found himself back in the peloton two minutes behind the leaders when he commenced the second big climb of the day, the other side of yesterday’s monster the Col du Galibier.
With the help of his BMC team mates Evans attacked the climb with gusto, and as they dropped away, he kept going like a force of nature that was not to be denied.
He received no help as he towed everyone including Frank Schleck all the way to the summit.
His determination was rewarded. He was now only 45 seconds behind the leaders. Close enough for his larger group to catch the leaders on the descent before the final climb up Alp d’Huez.
On the very first bend of the famous 21 bends of Alp d’Huez, Alberto Contador made his final stand. He set a ferocious pace up the final climb of the tour. He had to make three minutes on his rivals while also trying to record a famous victory.
Pierre Roland and Samuel Sanchez gave chase. Behind them Cadel sat on the wheels of the Brothers Schleck. He was going to follow them all the way to the finish while keeping an eye on how far Contador was getting up the road.
Evans was in control and the Schlecks didn’t like it. Calling their bluff and getting the ultimate revenge as he declined to help the Schlecks in their chase of Contador.
Contadors’s brave attempt fizzled in the last few kilometres of the climb. He was overtaken by the Frenchman Pierre Roland who went on to record France’s first, and most likely, only win of this year’s tour.
Roland also became the first Frenchman to win on Alpe d’ Huez since the great Bernard Hinault in 1985.
Sanchez finished second and picked up enough points to overtake ninth placed Andy Schleck to win the polkda climbers jersey.
In the end, Contador finished a gallant third. He made up only 34 seconds. Not enough to defend his title but enough to hope for a top three finish after the time trial.
In a final show of strength, Evans powered on to finish just ahead of the Brothers Schleck. The three might have recorded the same time, but psychologically he dealt them a massive blow.
I expect the yellow jersey to weigh heavy on the shoulders of Andy Schleck tonight.
Cadel Evans WILL ride a faster time trial than Andy Schleck.
One minute faster and it will be enough to put Evans in the select pantheon of great Australian champions.
GO CADEL!!!
Tour de France Stage 19 Standings
Rider Team Time Gaps
1. ROLLAND Pierre TEAM EUROPCAR 3h 13′ 25″
2. SANCHEZ Samuel EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 3h 13′ 39″ + 00′ 14″
3. CONTADOR Alberto SAXO BANK SUNGARD 3h 13′ 48″ + 00′ 23″
4. VELITS Peter HTC – HIGHROAD 3h 14′ 22″ + 00′ 57″
5. EVANS Cadel BMC RACING TEAM 3h 14′ 22″ + 00′ 57″
6. DE GENDT Thomas VACANSOLEIL-DCM 3h 14′ 22″ + 00′ 57″
7. CUNEGO Damiano LAMPRE – ISD 3h 14′ 22″ + 00′ 57″
8. SCHLECK Frank TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 3h 14′ 22″ + 00′ 57″
9. SCHLECK Andy TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 3h 14′ 22″ + 00′ 57″
10. HESJEDAL Ryder TEAM GARMIN – CERVELO 3h 14′ 40″ + 01′ 15″
Overall Standings
Standing Rider Team Time Gaps
1. SCHLECK Andy TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 82h 48′ 43″
2. SCHLECK Frank TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 82h 49′ 36″ + 00′ 53″
3. EVANS Cadel BMC RACING TEAM 82h 49′ 40″ + 00′ 57″
4. VOECKLER Thomas TEAM EUROPCAR 82h 50′ 53″ + 02′ 10″
5. CUNEGO Damiano LAMPRE – ISD 82h 52′ 14″ + 03′ 31″
6. CONTADOR Alberto SAXO BANK SUNGARD 82h 52′ 38″ + 03′ 55″
7. SANCHEZ Samuel EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 82h 53′ 05″ + 04′ 22″
8. BASSO Ivan LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE 82h 53′ 23″ + 04′ 40″
9. DANIELSON Tom TEAM GARMIN – CERVELO 82h 55′ 54″ + 07′ 11″
10. ROLLAND Pierre TEAM EUROPCAR 82h 57′ 40″ + 08′ 57″
Overall Polka Dot Climber Standings – FINAL
Standing Rider Team Points
1. SANCHEZ Samuel EUSKALTEL – EUSKADI 108 pts
2. SCHLECK Andy TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 98 pts
3. VANENDERT Jelle OMEGA PHARMA – LOTTO 74 pts
4. EVANS Cadel BMC RACING TEAM 58 pts
5. SCHLECK Frank TEAM LEOPARD-TREK 56 pts
6. CONTADOR Alberto SAXO BANK SUNGARD 51 pts
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