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Yes Ben, I was in beautiful Beechworth on the June 7th. I'm happy to say there aren't two of me.

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Good point. I am worried too about the potential strength of Cadel's new team as they go into TDF. But, to be fair to the BMC riders at the Giro, it was a particularly brutal tour, and I understand many riders were in it largely as a build up to the TDF. Also the team was split, with riders such as George in California. No doubt, too, it will take a while for the BMC team members to learn how to work as a team As the Giro was drawing to an end I found myself wondering how great Cadel would be with a really strong team behind him. Any success he has had in recent years he seems to have attained purely on his own merits. The WC was the only time in recent years that I have seen him with a group of riders backing him to the finishing line. and the proof was in the result. I just think he is a really gutsy little fellow. There are so many young Aussies doing so well in cycling. It's a real shame there is not more media coverage. Dare I say that Australia has had more International success in cycling than in Soccer, without all the attendant hype.

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To Richard and Leo, thank you both very much for your humbling assesment of my psychological issues and inability to understand the concept of free speech all from one comment in a website. If you're not both just playing the devil's advocate to try and ilicit a reaction, which I'm loathe to give by the way. I couldn't give a rat's fat whether people like Cadel Evans or not or whether they think he should attack more or picked the wrong team. I've never met the man so other than observing that he is a far superior cyclist to myself, I have no axe to grind for him either way. My point is until you walk a mile in somebody else's shoes you are not really qualified to criticise them (although that doesn't stop anyone). The beauty about successful sportsmen and women is they make what they do look very easy so the "nobodies" of the world including the media watch them and think they can easily do better. Then, with the benefit of hindsight, they criticise or tell them what they should have done if they make a mistake or are a bit out of form. I personally think that criticism might hold some weight when it comes from somebody who has the runs on the board or some ability themselves, but not when it comes from armchair experts who sit on their fat arses and offer nothing. Most of the comments in this forum are positive but plenty in others haven't been. Best wishes.

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Hmmm much to chew over these past few weeks, agree with PAX though, read an interesting article about what the BMC boys thought about their baptism of fire with riding long tours and many said they were pleased with their own personal results and the younger less experienced riders sought Cadel advice on matters about fitness and performance etc. Nice to know! obviously he is held in regard by his lesser experienced team mates. Also heard an interesting morsel of a rumour about Cancellara in talks with BMC for next year. Interesting, can't see it happening though, but stranger things have happened, and Mattie Lloyd moving to BMC next year as Cade'ls gun domestique in the mountains, hmmm now that may be definately on the cards. His contract price may well have gone up a notch or two with the green jersey win in Giro and we all know he has a "calming influence" on other riders in his team. Food for thought? before we lose more sleep when the TDF starts.

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off the topic in the hope that mike reads this? Was Mike Tomalaris in Beechworth today? If not i saw his double.

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It is very tough to form a balanced/valuable critique of Cadel's current/past form given that many of the guys beating him in recent history, are either coming off suspension or are suspended/disqualified post event! I'm not sure how the honest guys even deal with the question of who is and who isn't juiced day in and day out during a big tour. My uneducated view of the Giro was that the BMC boys seemed to gain strength/experience? Luck will play out, but I know we love the little aussie battler in my house! Great entertainment.

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Was it luck that allowed Cadel to get into the last 9 in Medrisio, was it luck that made him chase down Rodrigez and was it luck that allowed him the power away on the last climb and solo to victory. He was tactically the best on the day and recovered enough after bridging to the front 8. Spain should have won with 3 in the final selection but stuffed it up. Perhaps they underestimated Cadel that day. Same thing for Cadel at Flech Wallone tactically he timed his ride better than anyone else. Maybe it was familiarity to the roads he rode on. Do not say he was lucky or unlucky.

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To Peter from Sydney: It's rather unfair of you to pick a small segment of my comment to rebutt. You ignored the parts where I gave him credit for attacking when he did and where I said he won fair-and-square. Here is the point I was trying to make. We often hear a rider claiming some good luck came their way and yes, I feel Cadel had a bit of luck on his side when the group were looking at each other to see who would respond. We've seen this scenario repeated many-a-time in bike racing. If it is fair to claim Cadel was struck by bad luck, as so many here have done, then it is equally fair to claim some good luck came his way. Fair enough?

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Jason from Ipswich you are getting criticism confused with discussion. Isn't this what the comments forum is for? A majority of the comments on this topic are in praise of Cadel and his achievements and to all the other Australians who performed so well at the Giro. The defensive comments you have posted really does make you sound very insecure - Cadel?

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Very well said Richard from Melbourne - perhaps Jason from Ipswich is Cadel in disguise!!!!

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