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Enlarge textThe message to Cadel Evans from fans ahead of the 2011 Tour de France is clear: don't lose faith in us, because we haven't lost faith in you, writes Michael Tomalaris.
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After Cadel Evans crossed the finish line as a deserved winner in the Tour de Romandie I observed with interest the media coverage his success generated.
I was pleasantly delighted that all of the free-to-air television networks, commercial included, gave Cadel's victory a mention in their respective nightly news bulletins.
I noted with interest that every network (including mine) used vision from the final stage at Romandie from the abbreviated and grainy footage made available by Eurosport news - the only access available in Australia.
With so much coverage, it reminded me of Cadel's status as a respected Australian sporting figure and the role he plays both for himself and Australian cycling on the world stage.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if a lesser-known Australian cyclist had topped the podium at Romandie would the same television news coverage be given by the networks?
I hardly think so.
So it came as quite a surprise when I noticed a quote made by Cadel to the French daily sports newspaper, L'Equipe, immediately after his tremendous win.
When asked if he could win the Tour de France after finishing runner-up in 2007 and 2008, Cadel said.
''I haven't given up on winning the Tour. I still believe in it, but perhaps the rest of the world doesn't."
It's terrific that Cadel is focused on conquering world cycling's biggest event, but it's the second part of the quote that initially puzzled me and later struck me as a little disappointing.
Here it is again: "Perhaps the rest of the world doesn't believe?" What are you talking about, Cadel?
If he meant the rest of the world except those avid supporters in the country of his birth, then perhaps I could understand the comment.
But if he included Australa and Australians collectively, then Cadel is definitely WRONG!
Those of us who have followed Cadel's career can't wait for the day he realises his personal dream of becoming the first Australian to win the Tour de France.
The ratings figures are proof that a large television audience is glued to SBS through the wee hours of cold Winter mornings - all of whom are willing, urging and racing every pedal he pushes in the hope of seeing him finally crack an overall Tour win.
Not to mention the many Aussie flags that can be seen on the side of French roads during the Tour?
They're not put there by a "rent-a-crowd" but by fans who have made a concerted effort to support Cadel and the other Aussies to glory.
When Cadel broke down during the 2010 Tour after losing the leader's yellow jersey as a result of a fractured elbow, an entire nation also wept with him.
We thought 2010 was finally going to be the year.
I'm sure I speak on behalf of all Cadel supporters when I say we genuinely feel and live through all of his trials and tribulations every time he jumps on the bike for a Tour de France assault.
As far as I'm concerned, Cadel is a modern-day Don Bradman, Dawn Fraser, Ken Rosewall rolled into one - a pioneer who can single-handedly give international cycling the profile it deserves on Australia's sporting landscape.
So, given his form and results so far this year, I have complete confidence and faith in Cadel.
I can only hope he has the same confidence and faith in us.
Cadel - we believe!!!
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Comments (37)
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23 Jul 2011 8:55 AEST
From: Sydney
MT has seen enough cycling and knows what he's on about. Sure there may be some bias towards Cadel: so what. He is usually spot on. Keep up the good work cousin and see you at the next BBQ.
09 Jul 2011 17:34 AEST
From: Gold Coast
MIkes comments are purely a comparison with greats and names of yesteryear....Cricket is with about 7 countries....Cycling is a global sport dominated by French and Europeans. It is more like comparing Australia's Australia 2 yacht race win or an Aussie beating a marathon v Kenyans....Mike has an ability to relay cycling to the lay person....at a style which is more than palatable... Yes I am sure we will have Stuey Robbie etc to commentate in years to come but Mike does a sensational job.
25 May 2011 14:39 AEST
From: UK
--
A professional sportsman like Cadel knows better than to weigh his own worth by the cheers or catcalls of the fickle fans. While he may be experiencing ups and downs he'll undoubtedly bounce back and do us all proud.
21 May 2011 19:38 AEST
From: Perth
--
Sure Cadel is the great Aussie hope, yes we all want to see him realise his dream and win TDF, but TDF is won not by individuals but by team strategy and that is where Cadel has a problem - BMC sucks as a team, there is no cohesion, there is no killer instinct and they have the likes of Leopard-Trek and HTC-Highroad to contend with .. I personally do not think Cadel can ever win unless he improves his supporting cast. How about an Aussie team with Goss, Meyer, McEwan, Porte, Renshaw, O'Grady, Rodgers, Bobridge, Howard, Gerrans, McGee, Cooke, and of course Cadel.
16 May 2011 7:21 AEST
From: Darwin
--
For Cadel to win the TDF he has to go out right at the beginning of the race, not sit back in the pack and rely on other riders as he has done in the last 2 races. He leaves his run to late and gets done by a few seconds he needs to pick the stages he's think he has a chance and if a breakaway goes out he has got to be in it even if 2-3 team mates went with him as support.If he doesn't win this year he can retire as he will never win the TDF after 2011
15 May 2011 20:09 AEST
From: bvegas
09 May 2011 0:49 AEST
From: Sydney
--
Cadel is a guy who LOVES riding a bike, and doesn't need or seem to want the attention it brings him. He is one of, if not the greatest cyclists Australia has ever produced, and sadly Australia probably had nothing to do with "producing" him at all, just his own sheer will and grit. I for one am a loyal supporter of this Aussie who is at the top of the sport that I love so dearly, and I tell people of all sporting persuasions who he is and what he has achieved. I think he is slowly getting the recognition he deserves.
08 May 2011 22:02 AEST
From: Collie WA
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It is great to read the messages of support for Cadel and to recognise the challenges he faces. Like many I have had the privilege of reading Cadels book, to hear him speak, in person and on media. I have also though been able to shake his hand and have a short conversation, and it seems to me that he has moved beyond the need for adulation. I am sure there are many reasons that his winning the tour would evolve, but I believe that he has moved far beyond that, to what really matters in life. His life, the riding in isolated places alone or in the middle of a crowded french mountain top have taken him to "THE PLACE" beyond the crowd, the ego. I admire him and support him where he is, winning or losing is no longer a question, because he is exploring the answer.
05 May 2011 8:50 AEST
From: Sydney
--
Yet again another load of dribble from MT. Indeed he is the business as a cyclists but to make comparisions to the Don is simple ludicrous. When he's won two or three Tours and then backs that up with a couple of Giro's then you may have a case!
04 May 2011 20:59 AEST
From: Perth
--
The erason why cadel made those comments about the "Rest of the world" not believing is because some people including some journalists on CYcling Central have shunned his chances at the tour. Some journalists had some rather nasty things to say about him after he lost lots of time in the yellow jersey last year about how he "blowed his chances" of winning the tour de france even after he rode with a borken collar bone.
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Stay in touch with the ProTour road cycling season with SBS's cycling blog, featuring race reports, video highlights and blog coverage of every race of 2010, as well as details of SBS's racing coverage
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