CYCLING

[Guest 36DD]

Good on yer Cadel, great ride, Last couple of days fantastic rides

Very little help, being sweated on and used by that bludger Frank S.

Strength of Character and Personal belief.

Take em on Dees. Give 'em HELL !!

now I can get some better sleep for 12 months

nowhere to hide in the Time Trial...Schlecks got found out bigtime

[jayceebee31 761]

I will watch him ride in to Paris tomorrow and wave a flag on behalf of all those that care. Well done Cadel it's about bloody time.

Thanks Robbie- give it one more shake for me.It is the most remarkable sporting achievement that I have watched ever.The spirit just rivetting, the emotion-sensational.I was a wreck watching this- just imagining what it would be like WHEN we win a flag.

And sincere congrats Cadel...you are a sporting great-SIR CADEL EVANS...

GO DEES

[whelan45 203]

Legend of Australian sport! Cadel deserves every moment of it. Proud to be an Aussie!

[beelzebub 23,380]

I will watch him ride in to Paris tomorrow and wave a flag on behalf of all those that care. Well done Cadel it's about bloody time.

Like ^

Lucky bugger..

But hey ..its really about Cadel. Fantastic effort and warmly deserved.

[Diablo Deemon 220]

Cadel Evans

Inspirational

Historical

Unbelievable

Greatness

[Sydney Dee 1]

Herculian effort, especially considering the team he is riding for.

Well done

[Forest Demon 4,681]

Massive, massive achievement, a truly remarkable man, to come up just short on two occasions, suffer incredible bad luck and to pick yourself up and to go again, what a brilliant effort. An Aussie on top in a European domain, he has very few friends in the peleton, no alliances with countrymen, he had done it all on his own. His rides in stages 18 and 19 were as good as it gets. What a tour.

Loved the galibier stage when he realised he wasn't going to get any help chasing Andy Schleck and just took control. One by one rode them off his wheel, until only a couple could go with him. Cut 2 minutes off AS's lead and kept himself in contention.

[w00dy 146]

been loving watching him fight the last 3 nights... well done Cadel...

lets get him in a Dees jumper, with that much determination I'd imagine he'd do a lot of damage in last quarters...

[Striker475 696]

Loved the galibier stage when he realised he wasn't going to get any help chasing Andy Schleck and just took control. One by one rode them off his wheel, until only a couple could go with him. Cut 2 minutes off AS's lead and kept himself in contention.

Yeah it was superb. He's totally deserved it this year - he's attacked and really pushed hard all the way, hasn't let anyone dictate terms to him.

[Guest 36DD]

Loved the galibier stage when he realised he wasn't going to get any help chasing Andy Schleck and just took control. One by one rode them off his wheel, until only a couple could go with him. Cut 2 minutes off AS's lead and kept himself in contention.

that for mine was the ride of the tour, to take 2 minutes off andy schleck, in 10 km's over his favourite terrain was phenomenal, solo effort as well, no help from Basso, Voeckler and Rolland, despite Voeckler defending the yellow and Rolland competing for the white jersey.

[demonique 314]

Wonder how many times he's been defrauded by drug cheats?

Nice guys don't always finish last. I hope he doesn't crash tonight.

Twice

[Cheesy D. Pun 1,765]

He finally got some good riders around him. His efforts to get two 2nd place finishes with no help were equally impressive. It's great to see him get the reward. With some luck he can win another.

[bing181 9,248]

Fabulous, and has earned an enormous amount of respect for his rides over the last few days.

Was lucky enough to have a brief chat and get his autograph outside the bus last week ... ostensibly for my son, but ahem, might be keeping that one away somewhere myself. Genuine guy, took time out for autographs and photos with the kids etc.

Very different vibe at BMC to what it was a Lotto - they almost resented him, certainly didn't know how to work with him.

[Dee Fan 3,247]

Just got back from watching the finish of the race great effort Cadel and a great reception. I got a good photo but I'm not sure how to post it.

Plenty of Aussies here; no flags available but plenty of green and gold around.

Edited July 24, 2011 by RobbieF

[jayceebee31 761]

Just got back from watching the finish of the race great effort Cadel and a great reception. I got a good photo but I'm not sure how to post it.

Plenty of Aussies here; no flags available but plenty of green and gold around.

Lucky buggar- I wish it was me...watching possibly the greatest performance ever...completely punch drunk for 3 days and got up and knocked them out in the first round(15 minutes) of the Time trial.....reminds me of the old Sanyo add of the 80.s --O what a beauty...I have never seen one as good as that before...

[Sir Why You Little 37,054]

Great Effort Cadel...Pants off mate...You are now a legend forever....will never need to buy a beer for yourself EVER AGAIN!!!

Man of Steel....Few of you at the MFC may work.B)

[dee-luded 2,959]

Bloody oath. The other years he was in contention he was nowhere near as strong as he was this year. He was the strongest this year and put in some massive efforts, especially in the alps when it looked like it might have been slipping away.

He looked like 'Mentally', he'd grown up in the 12 Months. He looked just emotionally tougher. And in the time trial, he looked like a man possessed.

[jayceebee31 761]

He looked like 'Mentally', he'd grown up in the 12 Months. He looked just emotionally tougher. And in the time trial, he looked like a man possessed.

He was more relaxed, believed in the team as well as himself.Was very confident in his ability in every aspect this year.

[IRW 1,387]

Just a heads up.

.Le Tour beckons ....only a couple of weeks away now..

No Andy Schlek,no Big Thor or Robbie McEwen but Stuey is back with Green Edge and Cadel will be looking to go back to back..

Great viewing even for those like me with no posting or cycling 'acumen' and the timing means it doesnt clash with the footy.

On a slightly tangental note, during the wee hours following the pelleton afficianados and muppets can debate whether Lance Armstrong is the greatest cyclist since Eddy Merckx or the biggest drug cheat since Marion Jones.

Thats the thing about Le Tour its not just about the bike.

FWIW IRW doubts that Cadel will win but has no idea who will,other than that they will ride for a team full of blokes with interesting names

[Cards13 9,117]

IRW same thoughts as you, for some reason I love the TDF. I think the majority of them are drug cheats, play politics and a lot of the time not about the best rider but team yet I love to watch it. My fiance hates this time of year.....

Cadel seemed to have the perfect year last year, this year has been all over the shop and with his health that seems to have set him back.

No Andy Schelk? He injured?

[45HG 1,558]

Sad news about Andy.

Injured his pelvis in a crash and pulled out a few days ago - is still hoping to make the Olympics. Read he was quoted as saying he'd rather finish last at the Tour than not be able to ride in it.

[H_T 3,049]

Cadel seemed to have the perfect year last year, this year has been all over the shop and with his health that seems to have set him back.

On the money there cards13. I have a mate who knows Cadel well enough down at Barwon Heads who says his preparation has been interrupted. Compared to last years prep it has been pretty average (not what he'd like). You're right about his health. Positives are that he has been able to compete in the last few events.

No Andy will make it interesting.

[IRW 1,387]

Just as interesting as Cadel going for Yellow back to back will be Oz's Orica/Green Edge team.They wont be chasing Yellow as I understand it but they do have a sprinter who might chase Green..Mat Goss with the experience of Stuey O'Grady to hold the show together out on the road................... Add a climber or two to protect Goss and I imagine they will be hoping for at least one stage win. .................. The Tour reminds me of yachting in the way that the Winner the muppet punter knows about (Line Honours /Yellow Jersey) isnt always the big story that the cognescenti value.....stage wins,climbers and heroic 'domestiques/ handicap winners or division two performance in light and shifty air).. Bring it on I reckon,along with the 'kissing clapping girls at the end of each stage....do you think they draw straws to see who has to wear the polka dot dress?

[Cards13 9,117]

On the money there cards13. I have a mate who knows Cadel well enough down at Barwon Heads who says his preparation has been interrupted. Compared to last years prep it has been pretty average (not what he'd like). You're right about his health. Positives are that he has been able to compete in the last few events.

No Andy will make it interesting.

Yea it just seemed everything was perfect for him last year, especially with Contador being injured (don't get me started on him being able to riding at all especially considering he was stripped of the 2010 title later in the year) and this year it seems he has had a slow start to his training then illness. Will be interguing to see how he goes, we all know he is a competitor but with things not going as well as hoped on how he reacts.

It will be interesting to see who steps out into the limelight without Andy, Contador and Cadel not having great prep....

[H_T 3,049]

Yea it just seemed everything was perfect for him last year, especially with Contador being injured (don't get me started on him being able to riding at all especially considering he was stripped of the 2010 title later in the year) and this year it seems he has had a slow start to his training then illness. Will be interguing to see how he goes, we all know he is a competitor but with things not going as well as hoped on how he reacts.

It will be interesting to see who steps out into the limelight without Andy, Contador and Cadel not having great prep....

What was that guys name last year who carried the yellow jersey for quite a few

days ? He did ok in the mountains and won a couple of stages. Not Sanchez. I think he was French ?? He looked ok before losing ground in the latter stages. Could be a candidate..