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Enlarge textCadel Evans has no choice but to change his style of racing and attack, writes Mile Tomalaris in Montpellier.
Cadel Evans needs to turn to plan B (AAP)
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I can see the headlines now: "Cadel Evans blows it."
It's cruel and unfair but sadly there's a tinge of truth to it.
The sceptics will say it's all over. Indeed, it's do-or-die for Cadel!
That's what it's come to and the Tour de France is just four days old.
Full coverage at Cycling Central's 2009 Tour de France site.
Cadel has plummeted down the leaderboard after Silence-Lotto's disastrous showing in the team time trial.
Can
he bounce back? I'd like to think so but he has to grow wings in order
to make up the three minutes needed to catch Lance Armstrong.
Cadel
may have the required wings and horsepower, but in his four previous
Tour appearances, he's yet to show any real aggressive flair.
In that time he rarely exploded away from his rivals on the decisive mountain stages.
I
feel it's time for Evans to change tactics and do away with the
conservative style of racing we're used to seeing from Australia's
great hope.
He has no choice but to attack, attack and attack
again and he must start as early as the climb into Andorra in stage 7,
if he's to reduce the three minute deficit on Lance Armstrong.
Luckily for Cadel, the race is still in its first week, so there is time and hope to catch the leaders.
While
many choose to write of his chances, Cadel must fight like a tiger and
prove to the doubters that he has winning qualities.
The time has come when he must produce the goods the same way Lance has done so since announcing his return to the world.
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Comments (43)
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12 Jul 2009 8:44 AEST
From: Sydney
--
No one doubts Cadel is trying, unfortunately for him he isn't a flashy or exciting rider to watch like Alberto, he just grinds it out and wears people down. I think the last 2 days are the best I have seen from Cadel and I am impressed with his attacks (even though others in the breakaway weren't last night), it is clear that Astana have a lot of respect for Cadel, if only his support was better.
11 Jul 2009 22:31 AEST
From: Kalgoorlie
Give cadel a Fair Go
With the team he has or lack of team what can you expect from Cadel. He has no support and he goes it alone against the likes of Astana. Give the guy a break. Second twice with teams that were non existant when he needed them and Nothing has changed. Whatever happens no-one can doubt he is out there trying his heart out alone. Critics hang your head in shame and give him some credit and less negatives.
11 Jul 2009 18:54 AEST
From: Sydney
--
Hey Dan, I am not sure if he was on another team it would make that much difference, Alberto seemed to pull away quite effortlessly last night and his quick attacks are something that no-one in the peloton seems to be able to counter or even stay with. He is brilliant to watch in action. I feel sorry for Cadel who in the right team could already have 1 or 2 Tour wins under his belt, it will be hard from here to win, but that seems to be the reality unfortunately.
11 Jul 2009 16:00 AEST
From: sydney
--
Cadel's attack coming up to Arcalis was a good sign i thought, even though not a winning move. (and what was with that bizarre move by his team mate that served as a launch pad for Contador?) At this stage Astana will just increase the gap at every point if he rides conservatively. He really may as well risk burning out because at this rate, he has no chance. It really is a shame he doesn't change teams, it's just ridiculous to have such a strong GC guy on such a pathetic team that gets worse each year. i know this is making excuses, but if Cadel had a saxobank or astana type team, it would be a totally different race.
11 Jul 2009 13:08 AEST
From: Sydney
--
I think it is do or die now for Cadel, 3 min is a lot when up against the fire power of Astana even over the next 2 weeks. although I highly doubt this will happen, I think Cadel should go all out stage after stage in the Pyranees and make Astana earn it, even if it means burning out and not finishing, it would get the press and nay sayers off his back, he has nothing to lose from what I saw last night from Contador.
10 Jul 2009 14:51 AEST
From: Stanmore Australia
Hope dies last
I find watching Cadel Evans very irritating. He never "has a go". He just doesn't seem to have the ticker. I believe Lance Armstrong would be in the position of equal first, even if he was in Silence Lotto. Cadel does not inspire, he presents as a worry wart. He is HISTORY.
10 Jul 2009 11:21 AEST
From: Melbourne
--
Fortune favours the brave.. take some big chances and attack hard. You either first 1st or 101st, but at least you tried hard and tried something different. Get em Cadel.
09 Jul 2009 22:43 AEST
From: Bronte, NSW
--
C'mon SBS! It's bad enough that you don't show entire stages live but to fill a cycling telecast with 45 mins of 'padding' is pretty weak! Please show all at other stuff (cooking, highlights etc) earlier and play the entire stages live!
09 Jul 2009 22:42 AEST
From: Bronte, NSW
--
C'mon SBS! It's bad enough that you don't show entire stages live but to fill a cycling telecast with 45 mins of 'padding' is pretty weak! Please show all at other stuff (cooking, highlights etc) earlier and play the entire stages live!
09 Jul 2009 12:02 AEST
From: Melbourne Australia
--
Well, what can Cadel do ? Does he look elsewhere for a better support team next time around ? Changing teams is very difficult, due to a leader not always wanting to play second fiddle to a better rider, Did I say that ?? Sastre didn't appear to have a problem changing camps, from where the spectator sits anyway. Cadel could be wasting his time staying where he is (SL) Maybe an Aussie sponsor could form a new wave of riders that are not necessarily political and looking after their mates. Mainly because at the end of a tour, it's only going to be a top team like Astana or perhaps Comumbia that will do their sponsor justice. Granted many riders are financially secure, however it's not much good being a top dick, in a dud team. Cadel, do something that makes you the great Aussie that we know you are.
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