It’s 100 days until the sporting world stops for the centenary edition of the Tour de France.
That’s 100 days to prepare both physically and mentally for what should be an incredible race, with potentially Alberto Contador, Chris Froome, Vincenzo Nibali, Samuel Sanchez, Joaquim Rodriguez, Jelle Vanendert, Pierre Rolland, Jurgen Van den Broeck and Alejandro Valverde to name just a few, fighting for the podium, and that’s not counting Bradley Wiggins, if he changes his mind, and of course Cadel Evans.
No question, this race could be absolutely epic, certainly more exciting – in terms of pure racing than last year – but if you saw team BMC’s email from a couple of days ago and also looked at Cadel Evans’ website, then like me, you might be a little concerned.
On Evans’ website under his schedule, the next listed race for him is the Criterium International in Corsica, this weekend. It’s a three-stage affair running over two days covering 272 km.
For those attending, it’s a chance to pick up the vibe ahead of the July return when Le Tour rolls onto the island for the Grand Depart.
Stage one is a mammoth 89km, starting and finishing in Porte Vecchio with a climb up the 208m Cote de Conca (5.7%) at the midway point of the race.
Later that day, stage two is a seven km individual time trial around Porte Vecchio, which, while not exactly flat, only climbs 37m at its midway point and at the end.
Stage three on the Sunday covers 179km and none of it is flat. There’s the Col de Bacinu (817m, 12 km at 5.8%), the Côte de Levie (602m, 5.1 km at 4.6%), the Côte d’Abellara (370m, 5.2 km at 6.2%) and the Côte de Sartène (303m, 2.3 km at 4.8%).
Topping it all off is final climb up the Col de l’Ospedale (956m), a 14 km ascent averaging 6.2% including one km section at 10.4%.
Evans won this race last year, after which he went on to compete in the Tour de Romandie (finishing 29th) in late April and the Dauphine (finishing third) in early June.
Granted Cadel didn’t have the best of health in 2012, but apart from the Tirreno Adriatico, a DNF in Amstel Gold and two single-day races – GP di Lugano and Trofeo Palma de Mallorca – that was all his pre-Tour de France racing. A total of 27 race days.
If you believe his website, the Criterium International will be his last race before the Tour de France. That said, the Tour is listed as his only race for the rest of the year.
The BMC email from earlier this week’s says, “The race that begins Saturday will likely be the only one Evans races with teammate Tejay van Garderen before the Tour de France.”
Last year, it was van Garderen pacing his team leader up the climbs, before eventually being relieved of his responsibilities when Evans was clearly out of contention.
Tejay went on to finish fifth with Cadel seventh, some four minutes behind his heir apparent.
They are clearly again going to be BMC’s two major general classification contenders in July, so isn’t it a bit strange that a two-day ride around Corsica in March is “likely” to be their only race together before then?
Sure, they can train together, but ultimately is that as good as racing?
Last year they raced the Dauphine and Romandie together. Tejay didn’t finish Romandie (DNF stage four) but then after riding the Tour of California (fourth) he finished 14th in the Dauphine.
Why aren’t they repeating this in 2013, or at the very least teaming up in the Dauphine?
Last year Brad Wiggins had Sky teammates Froome, Mick Rogers, Richie Porte, Kanstantsin Siutsou, Christian Knees and Edvald Boasson Hagen along for the ride in the Dauphine. The same guys, minus Boasson Hagen and Knees, also raced in Romandie.
Could there be a bigger difference?
In his glorious 2011 season, Evans raced 29 days before the Tour, with his final pre Tour de France race in the Dauphine. This followed the Tour De Romandie.
By the time Cadel finishes the Criterium International, he’ll have 13 race days under his belt for 2013.
Based on averages, he needs to double that number to be on a par with the final two years.
It’s hard to believe there’s a better pre-Tour de France double than Romandie-Dauphine for GC contenders.
And while it’s easy to accept that a race schedule on a website can be quickly updated, it’s not easy to imagine why BMC feel that once this weekend is over Cadel and Tejay aren’t “likely” to appear again until July.
As Pauline Hanson would say, “please explain?”
theo
Guest
Cadel's Schedule is always that way. If I remember correctly, at start of season his next race in the Schedule was the Tour. I've read in media that he is sleighted for Romandie and Dauphine, which is his usual prep in previous years. He may be hitting an Ardennes race also but lets see. All that said, after the first day's racing in Corsica, i think we have seen the changing of the guard at BMC; TJ will be leader at the Tour with Cadel protecting TJ in the mountains. Cadel has to improve not so that he can be competitive with the likes of Contador, Froome, Rodriguez, Valverede et al, but so that he can support TJ. Cadel's level sadly seems to be at last years level; surely he would have wanted to be better at this stage in the season. Even if BMC don't make an announcement now, internally i think they have already decided on the leader issue for the Tour. I hope Cadel gets better but 100 days may be a stretch for the Tour. Its puzzling considering he was good in Oman, that he has gone backwards since then. Is it the virus come back? Me thinks its the virus we are all suspect to; getting older. However, Cadel has nothing else to prove, he has shown he is a champion irrespective what happens later this year. This may be the year that he has another go at the Vuelta if form does arrive later in the year.
John Thompson-Mills
Expert
Can't say I disagree with you, after all Cadel has won the TDF. I'm sure he'll race again before June and prepare as well as he can, but when you see what SKY did last year, where Wiggo had his TDF team with him in the lead up to the race, why are BMC suggesting Cadel and Tejay won't race together after this weekend? Sorry but compared to the SKY model, that makes no sense to me? Happy for someone to explain the rationale. Thanks for the feedback. jtm
John Thompson-Mills
Expert
Hi Siddeeky, Bradley Wiggins says his focus this year is the Giro which suggests at the very least he is not interested in defending his TDF title. He says he'll be there but he'll be riding for Froome. Time will tell I guess. Thanks for reading and offering a comment. jtm.
Anthony
Guest
this is crazy talk. Cadel has been winning races at an elite level since he was a kid. To suggest he doesn't know what he is doing is crazy. The guy knows how to prepare for the race, he is one of only a handful of people on the planet that actually truly understands what it takes to win the tdf (clean). Last year was hard for him, anyone out there who has had kids knows what the first couple of years are like, you get sick. Good luck to him.
Alexander Grant
Roar Pro
If Van den Broeck steps up his game I've got to have him in the mix as well. Still remember when he was coming through the ranks and team Lotto decided to ditch Cadel as their main man and switch focus. It was one of the reason's Cadel left. Though it was with some merit - Jurgen has years left in him and is still improving
andrew
Guest
cadel needs to proves something that he can wins , cos, i have not see him do that? he needs to have a good look at his training and diet to be able to have his form back better than 100% fit!!! looks at froome, contador, rod, nabili and other will be on GC, they 'r showing their true color how fit they are.
siddeeky
Roar Rookie
I think I've missed something. Is Wiggo not riding this year's TdF?
Bones506
Roar Guru
Realistically I don't believe Cadel will win another TDF. Froome and Contador will be the guys to beat.
andrew
Guest
yeh, can BMC owner "please explain?" i am cadel fan, we all want him to win this yr TDF. if he haven't done enough racing toward TDF , he is not going to win it!!