40 exclusive! ’08 his chances and profile some of his rivals.his of profilesome chances and his explainsconsiderhe’s Wewhy win. toracing C famed theonwardto passesmountain and Brittany,pelotonfromBrestthein over fascinatingon erastreets newlead that a open toready are ridersother 179 and “When people ask me what my job is, job my what me ask people “When Words: Words: C that’sAnd what Tourthehonestly:France. themwinto de the world’sthefinish to wearing biggestrace PH letour cadel evans hamps- adel OTOS interview I .com n thisexclusiven interviewAustralianthe maillot jaune maillot : R Yuzuru Yuzuru ob E vans leads a new generation hoping generationnewhoping a leadsvans A E rnold lysées in the Frenchthelysées incapital. S unada & Graham Watson Graham & unada have to concentratehaveto I on.” . The runner-up in 2007 in runner-up The . tell tell I “ chasing the title the chasing Let’sopeninghitontime… C adel Evans fascinationstreet” *Robe &the r t Smith. Smith. t T he Cu he cont r e: e: Fascinationstr this this R on pictured — Fränk brother his D change? of season a the of control A Leade the credentials to win in July. in win to credentials the edoutein amiano amiano re these the riders who will be in in be will who riders the these re ersend A pril — are all riders who have have who riders all are — pril of a new gene new a of rs ee C t, unego, unego, L D iège- isint T our de France in in France de our B A eg astogne- ndy ndy C ration adel Evans, Evans, adel S chleck and and chleck r ation… ation… L iège letour (1989) L a a .com * ’08 41 exclusive! w I n t ervie

cadel evans “Things haven’t fallen into place of late but sometimes But now it is all coming together. He was forced to spend What lies around the next bend…? that’s not a bad thing at this time of year,” observed Cadel Evans two years in limbo after he became what some called a At the presentation in London last year 10 days before the du Dauphiné Libéré, a week-long “surprise leader” of the Italian three-week race. To those who Cadel Evans and Robbie McEwen stood beside each other to salute the crowd stage race in June. This was the final test before lining up for knew him back then, however, it simply seemed like destiny (bottom left). The pair each won a stage his fourth . It seemed as though he was about to catching up with him. Since his teenage years it’s been said that of the 94th edition: Robbie stage one; launch into an explanation of how a hint of tendonitis that had he possesses the potential to be the first Australian to win the and Cadel stage 13 — a time trial in Albi started to stir below his left knee was hindering his build-up. Tour de France. And he almost did. (below) where he was beaten on the day Then he clarified: “Sometimes little things slow your progress Last year only 23 seconds separated him from this forecast by a cheat and officially informed of his victory via email months later. for a reason. But it’s all coming together.” becoming a reality. If time bonuses awarded to stage winners This year both are chasing victories His comment came on the sixth anniversary of the day he hadn’t existed in the 94th edition, Cadel’s deficit would have but Evans isn’t concerned about wore the maglia rosa in the Giro d’Italia. This brief stint in the been a paltry four seconds. It’s interesting to note, although not stages. He wants the title! lead of his first alerted many to his potential. It relevant. All of us could put a clause in a sentence and conclude was a moment of possible glory that turned into a spectacular it by stating how different life would be. collapse. He will hate seeing the topic raised once again and will, Here are a few Tour related examples. no doubt, ask: isn’t it time to move on? Absolutely. But it’s a story would have won the title in 1989 if he’d had aerobars like those worth retelling because it confirms his opening statement. Greg LeMond used and the drag of his long hair blowing in Had Cadel not suffered 14 minutes of humiliation as he the breeze hadn’t slowed him down by eight seconds. Michael struggled to turn the pedals on the Passo Coe ascent in stage Rasmussen would have won the Tour last year if he hadn’t been 17 of the 2002 Giro, things would be completely different now. dishonest. Wim Vansevenant would have won the Tour in 2007 Had he not lost 14 minutes in seven kilometres of climbing, he if 140 riders hadn’t finished in front of him. And so on. would have won the race. And had that happened, he would Cadel doesn’t like talking about his collapse on the Coe, or have been fast-tracked to a debut in the Tour. Sometimes little why he hasn’t won the Tour before, or if he will win it now. things slow your progress for a reason. Too true. He’s working on the presumption that it’s possible to create a bit of Australian sporting history. He has the support and all he can do now is wait for the race to start and give it his best shot. “The team is much more focused, dedicated and motivated, both on the side of the riders and the staff. The whole team is focused,” he said. “We can win so let’s try.” It’s a pretty simple mission statement. The fundamentals of what’s required for success are not complex either. The job description? Get around France faster than any other rider granted the privilege of racing on the same course at the same time. Being good enough to do just that is more complicated than most of us could possibly imagine. Thanks to the minor hiccups that have slowed his progress, Evans is aware that he can win the race. Before it was just talk. And hyperbole is PHOTO: Yuzuru Sunada something that irritates him now more than ever before. >>

42 ’08 letour.com PHOTO: Graham Watson w I’ve always been a fan of cycling and I’d like to think that I can promote the sport a bit, particularly in . Personally that’s more satisfying to me than getting second at the Tour. The appreciation people have for our sport, and for my efforts in the Tour, was gratifying. [But] for someone who is focused on doing well, second is not what you’re after. I n t ervie

It was another gesture by Evans that introduced people to cycling. That’s what makes him proud. It motivates him. It’s something he wants to keep doing because it’s satisfying. “ “I’ve always been a fan of cycling and I’d like ”to think that I can promote the sport a bit, particularly in Australia,” is his reaction to the statement that his result affected people with Tour fever. “Personally, that’s more satisfying to me than getting second at the Tour. “The appreciation people have for our sport, and for my efforts in the Tour, was gratifying. You have to remember that second is not winning. For someone who is focused on doing well, second is not what you’re after.”

History suggests that the rider in second is often more popular than the winner. ’s battles against in the 1960s are what made the streets of France so fascinating for the locals. Although the race between Happy In the driver’s seat… Last the two champions was compelling, first place always went to year Cadel began the final day of the the man who was far less revered by the public than the perennial 2007 Tour in charge of a TGV train runner-up. In French vernacular Poulidor retains meaning, but on the way to the start of the last Anquetil equates to something for the record books. stage (above). For much of the race he was up front when it mattered, Most of us have done a Poulidor at some time, being very but there were a few instances when good but falling short of the ultimate reward. If it were in the (left) was able to dictionary, that’s how it would be described. Does it have noble steal some time from the Aussie. connotations because of the sense of humility? Or is it just that Although second place has given more of us can relate to it? When it comes to Cadel, he appre- Evans some moments to savour, the top podium step is the goal in a year ciates being given the platform to voice his concerns although when Contador won’t be present. popularity is not his motivation. What he wants to do is be very The champion may be gone, but long good and, this year in particular, not fall short. Certainly not may the favourite reign! by a meagre margin like 23 seconds! >>

>> “I just work towards the Tour. All I can do is race it and see what unfolds. What is said beforehand is nothing more than hearsay. I have to be in the race. I have to see who is good and to see how I feel, how the race evolves, before I can know exactly what direction it’s going to take. “I get the feeling people are looking at me like I’m a crystal ball and I know exactly what’s going to happen.” He can ride a bike well. That’s his main talent and thanks to this, the 31-year-old has become disciplined enough to do all the other things that contribute to a winning equation. He understands the importance of all the “little things”. If you’re going to win the Tour, nothing can be left to chance and there’s no room for complacency. That could add up to 23 seconds, although he doesn’t like to talk about this either. Standing on the podium in Paris is what riders dream of. The chance that it may happen is a catalyst to bother with every element that needs to be considered. From training to diet to sleep and all else in between, it’s all important. Yet when you believe you can win and you then finish second, even in the world’s biggest race, it’s an anticlimax. When he was in the centre of the Champs-Elysées, his mind was on other matters. Rather than recognise the impact he was having on a nation of recent converts to cycling, Cadel was thinking of pizza. It was only when he returned home that the extent of what he’d achieved five months earlier started to sink in. He’s only in Australia briefly each summer but it’s time the proud Australian relishes. The off-season lasts just a matter of weeks, less than the average worker’s annual leave, and it’s valuable time for recuperation. It didn’t take long for Cadel to appreciate the appreciation many of his compatriots had of his achievements in France last July. And he promptly amended his schedule to include as many functions as possible. His latest visit put him in the spotlight. He had special moments last summer such as carrying the Cup onto the track at Flemington one Tuesday in November when there were a lot of people looking on. It exposed the bike to many who wouldn’t otherwise care less about it.

44 ’08 letour.com New Support from the Ukraine… (right) was hired w by Silence-Lotto to be a for Cadel Evans at the Tour de France. I ride but I also drive on the road. I see people’s attitude in general – not just when they drive but in the modern world – The Ukrainian could be a leader in his own right and, at the Paris-Nice race in March, he received support from the Australian and finished third overall. definitely becoming more selfish and less respectful towards other people. I hope that people would realise we’re all living in In July the roles will be reversed. If the former Discovery Channel rider can this world together and we all have to respect each other in everything we do. – Cadel Evans I n t ervie help Evans save 23 seconds, he’s likely to build a new legion of fans. exclusive!

>> From the support cast of eight riders who were part of the Predictor-Lotto squad in 2007, six will return to help Cadel in his quest for the yellow jersey. Despite the familiar faces, there “ ” is one big change for the Belgian-registered team. The Aussie’s right-hand man in the mountains, Chris Horner, has moved on. He joined Astana with the intention of racing the Tour with the defending champion who’d shifted to the Kazakh-sponsored, Luxembourg-registered line-up that former Discovery Channel team manager Johan Bruyeneel is now in charge of. Politics dictate that Horner’s plans won’t come to fruition. Astana is not welcome back at the Tour, not for this year at least. Although an entirely new structure has been put in place at Contador’s team, the previous incarnation of the team was responsible for sullying the race’s reputation. Despite all that was done to ensure a clean contest, the Kazakh leader who “beat” Evans in the time trial of stage 13, Alexandre Vinokourov, failed a doping control that day in Albi. He was promptly booted out of the race along with his colleagues, two of whom were in the top 10 of general classification at the time. Although he had other things he wanted to do, Cadel raced What were Cadel’s emotions surrounding his win in Albi? the test event for the Olympics in China last August because he “I considered that I’d won a long time before I was officially wanted to ensure he would have a place on what promises to be awarded it. Then I got the email from the UCI and one from a strong Australian team. That’s likely to be the case but before (the president) Pat McQuaid, a personal note, which was nice Beijing he’s got a rendezvous in Brest. Three weeks after that of him. About three weeks later it came out in the news. It was he’ll shift his focus from the maillot jaune to a gold medal. about six months since I’d actually won it. There are two main priorities for Cadel this year but are “It’s something that happened over such a long period. It the Olympics more of an afterthought or is it a big deal? wasn’t like we cracked open the champagne to celebrate.” “At this point yes, the Games take second priority,” said Obviously, Evans now has a fair say in how his team is Evans. He doesn’t mean to dismiss the significance of his goals run. He was upset to lose Horner, but the management of the after July but he’s concentrating on things in a chronological renamed formation Silence-Lotto did adhere to his wishes by order. “Pre-Tour and post-Tour are two completely different recruiting an extremely valuable rider to replace the American. periods for me. I’ve already got one big objective for the year “Yaroslav Popovych was the first guy I asked for,” said Cadel and that’s to win the Tour. Let’s see how that goes and then during the transfer season at the end of last year. think about the next one after that.” The Ukrainian won the youth classification in his Tour No matter what comes next, Cadel is now in the situation debut in 2005 while racing alongside as part where he is given the chance to air his views. He received plenty of the Bruyneel-managed Discovery team. He won a stage the of coverage in the Australian media for wearing an undershirt following year and, in 2007, assisted Contador in the critical with a political slogan on it during Liège-Bastogne-Liège, even mountain stages. “Like in anything, there’s politics involved,” though his result barely rated a mention. Just days before the said Evans about the team selection. “Normally when you get race affectionately known as La Doyenne, he was second in the results they listen a bit more.” Flèche Wallonne. It was the best result for an Australian and he So how does he think it’s going to work out with the roster backed up with seventh in Liège. change? “It’s a bit early to talk about that,” he explained in May. Did people care? Probably. Did they get to read about it in “I haven’t seen a lot of them. ‘Poppo’ was racing in Catalunya the local media. No. It’s a shame, but Evans isn’t complaining. while I was doing training camps and most of the guys that are He lives his life, rides his bike and takes an interest in a going to be in my team for the Tour were there as well. range of matters not relating to his job. One issue he wants “Robbie was at the Giro and he didn’t get the results that to promote is road safety. There’s a prevailing feeling of he got in the last two years there so that’s a tricky situation. us-against-them with regard to motorists and cyclists. It need “I think people get the idea that the Tour is the sole focus not be that way. “I look at it obviously as a cyclist,” he said but we’re actually obligated to do about 150 other days of about sharing the road. racing throughout the year so, unfortunately, this sometimes “I ride but I also drive on the road. I see people’s attitude gets in the way of what everyone else is focused on.” in general – not just when they drive but in the modern world – definitely becoming more selfish and less respectful towards The Tour de France has set the standard for bike races others. A recent incident in is a reflection of that. since its inception in 1903. Again, politics have come into the “I hope that people would realise that we’re all living in equation and the organisers have isolated themselves from this world together and we all have to respect each other in the international governing body, the UCI. Even with all the everything we do. That applies for whether you’re driving manoeuvring behind the scenes, the vast majority of fans still your car, or people who you work with or whoever.” relate more to the Tour than any other cycling event. He has become an ambassador for cycling by default but Evans is the winner of last year’s ProTour, a season-long he also has a love of motorsport. Is there a way of combining competition that comprised a series of one-day and stage races, the two elements to somehow create greater awareness? “As all contested in Europe. Consistency earned him that prize: an athlete, one privilege is that some people respect and listen seventh in Paris-Nice in March, second in the Dauphiné in to your opinions. Getting second in the Tour has helped that. June, second at the Tour in July, fourth in the Vuelta a España And one of the things I’m trying to raise awareness about is in September, sixth in in October… These road safety.” There are other issues, and they are based on the were the races in which he earned his points, but he also won same theme. “Part of that is also realising how important it is the Good Luck Beijing time trial event a fortnight after the to have due respect for other people in the world. We can all Tour and finished fifth in the world championship. learn a lot from the Dalai Lama.” >>

46 ’08 letour.com letour.com ’08 47 48 Intervie>>> w ’08 PHOTO:GrahamWatson July! this on cheer to rider one than have more they that aware be should Australians Cadel, surrounds hype the While step. abackward takes never he possible, is something thinking starts Mick when And Morzine. to stage the in 10th finishing to Tour,” the ride to reaction his was will the me gives “This crack. another for back be will Rogers however, it’s likely Tour’s the of itinerary, part be will that climbs the of many way over its made Libéré Dauphiné the as form byhis Judging ago. lifetime his half –almost a15-year-old as Europe in racing started he since time first the for Australia in April spending Tour.” the at be to going I’m even if sure not I’m really again. my motivation found and AIS the at tests in results good some posted my diet, changed rest, some I’ve had contention. in myself put Ican goif to want July. only “I this race the starts he if fate his about emotions mixed has he but most, the win to wants he Tour race the the is and aquid, earn to used tool the still is bike The priorities. new him given has leader. virtual of position the in while year last Tour the of out France de crashed dramatically he when at was he level the to back get to impossible itnear finding was he and six for him knocked had virus Epstein-Barr The exhausted! was He areason. was There apro. as season ninth achore.” itbecomes that, you lose Once gear. your of top you’rethe on always like feeling of sensation that is most Imiss thing “The retired, he when explained Roche Stephen champion 1987 Tour the As France de a drag. becoming was it But remember. can he as long as for pleasure champion was.” itonce like wasn’t there enjoyment the Idid, when and born were girls the since May. raced “I’d this barely Rogers Mick said happening,” was what wondering I started and “T Roge letour here Come July he’ll only have two stage races in his legs after after legs his in races stage have two only he’ll July Come and predictions bold gomaking to guy of sort “I’m the not September –in Sofia and –Matilde girls twin of birth The his of start the at emotions similar experiencing was Rogers trial time world triple the given what’s is bike his Riding .com

was r s: Adifficult le

a

momen t

when

i t

was

all a

be d-up but don’tdiscountd-up him! c oming

t oo n

RobA

mu r nold c h

my job. job. my on concentrate me helps and do I “ wife. his of said he mum,” great a “ proud. more be couldn’t last world late. M of bike his riding from distractions M A theseason will bebetter.” illness. illness. an from recover to was that year, PHOTO:Yuzuru Sunada PHOTO:Arnold Rob

ick ick F ami R S ogers has had two lovely lovely two had has ogers l atilde and S H yman A he is so supportive of what what of supportive so is he opefully the second part of of part second the opefully nd for the first half of this this of half first the for nd S eptember and their dad dad their and eptember r einvigo ofia came into the r A ated… lessia is is lessia I talian talian

little things will fall into place.” into fall will things little the all hopefully and past the in done I’ve what on of improving intention the with I’mgoing condition, best the in be to Ican all done I’ve it. of discussing I’mtired talk, much that been there’s “To honest, win? be Cadel can asking: are many question the Tour the regardless.” win to good You pretty be to have you. with stay to just job is sole whose of riders full teams six or five are there when Especially done. than said it’s easier and amountain on or group escape an away in get to race the in everyone absolutely I’d you. drop to able be to have watching is Tour, of the everyone afavourite as you’re in when going that, day. every consistent be to Ineed that do to and race the win to trying I’mjust stage. aparticular target to don’t “I try miss? shouldn’t people that particular in day one recommend he butcan under Tour’s down the appeal increased He’s changed. has action at how his looking people now be will there Australia, in broadcast is race the when morning of the hours early the Even in year. last from result his on improve can manner.” effective most the in ride to yourself of training aconsequence as happens that it’s something normal, that’s toes; your you point more the you pedal, faster the Basically of time. period long explanation. his is attributes,” of my physical because naturally just do Iactually something “That’s about? Cadel’s talking what this Is cadence. a higher revved and pedal to toes his howpointed he style: his about for.” you look to have that like things it’s little difference, cent per aone for you’re looking When correct. and work do to alot take butthey eye, untrained to the go unnoticed that things little be may They it. for looking actually they’re unless this don’t probably People notice example. for ago, years four or three to Iused now than back flatter amuch with bike the on Isit differences. subtle really It’s really, adaptation? the years. five or four last the in bit afair changed actually stroke’s My pedal on. so and technique pedalling work to on, things still there’s 13 for years, level at ahigh riding been has who me, like someone for “Even Switzerland? with border Italian the of north just base European their near countryside the around scooter her rides she as Chiara wife of help his the with pacing out motor or trainer, home the on own, his on kilometres the year.” all Iwork on what That’s you work on. what that’s And climber. good a very being two, and triallist; time good very my to madness. amethod There’s bike. the on form it’s Well, my to improve positions. strange those into myself Ido. exercises yoga those all remember may me “Probably. know who People bunch? the bloke in flexible most the he Is bike. trial atime on rider of any positions extreme most of the one has He a lot. bike his of riding acase It’s just not hesitates. he in, puts work he thing.” important the probably That’s kids. little were we when toldus dads and mums our early, like bed to “Go philosophy. asimple has he cycling, their improve could they how on others to advice offering to it comes July. When this chances his enhance can that things small the all fine-tuning involves that one acomprehensive is regimen training his and Tour France the de winning is at hand task The do. he’s to paid what with on get outand them block to needs he that knows W hile Is there anything else to consider when trying to answer to answer trying when to consider else anything there Is consider to have People why Idon’t asked attack. often “I’m he if see to July this SBS to in tuning thousands be will There a for and cadence at a high pedalling while climb can “I talked people a Tour as winner, emerged Armstrong When explain to start Ieven do Where efficiently. more pedal “I out he’s when on churning concentrate he does else What a being one, on: “As aTour you concentrate to have rider putting time much so why Ispent understood one “No of hours the about specific more abit get to asked When

t here

are

al w ays

plen t y

of

dis t rac t ions n ,

RobA E vans r nold of of -