Cadel Lee Evans has just become the first Australian to win the Tour de France. He crossed the finish line at 1:29am Monday morning Australian time, and I was one of the many Aussies who stayed up late to see the exciting finish of the Tour de France live from Paris, The Tour de France is one of the world's toughest sporting events. Congratulations Cadel from all Aussies!
Cadell, aged 34, was born on 14 February 1977 in Katherine, in The Northern Territory of Australia. He grew up in Armidale, attended Newling Public School, and when the family moved to Melbourne he attended the Eltham High School. He is married to Chiara Passerini, an Italian music teacher. His great-grandfather was Welsh, and 'Cadel' was the name of three Welsh kings.
He was originally a mountain bike rider, He won the World Cup in 1988 and 1999 and came 7th in the men’s cross country mountain bike race at the Sydney Olympics. He turned to road cycling in 2001.
On Saturday night Australian time he won the yellow jersey, and it is tradition that no rival challenges the yellow jersey wearer during the last stage. Cadell said "I really can't quite believe it right now. I have been concentrating on one event for so long."
In Saturday's 42.5km time trial in and around Grenoble he started the day 57 seconds behind Andy Schleck. Cadel finished second in the time trial, just seven seconds behind Tony Martin In winning the time trial he gained a one minute and 34 second advantage against Andy Schleck, and his brother Frank Schleck by 2:30.
After winning the yellow jersey his thought were on the last stage of riding into Paris. "There's always more to go ... we've still got to cross the finish line in Paris tomorrow, that's my main focus right now actually getting through there without any trouble,"
Evans said he first saw the Tour de France as a 14-year-old, watching the successes of five-time champion Miguel Indurain. The Aussie spoke movingly of his former coach Aldo Sassi, who “often believed in me more than I did.’’ The Italian died in December. “For him today to see me now would be quite something,’’ Carl said.
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