Cadel fires some early warning shots

05 June 2012 | 0:00 - By Matthew Keenan

The Criterium du Dauphine is seen as the key tune-up ahead of the Tour de France, and after a relatively quiet early season, Cadel Evans has shown on Stage 1 that come July, he'll be ready for business, writes Matthew Keenan.

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Assassin ... Evans is no face in the crowd, and proved today he will still be the man to beat at the Tour de France (Getty Images)

The stage victory by Cadel Evans at the Criterium du Dauphine wasn’t a simple show of strength. It was a bit more complicated, and impressive, than that.

It was a reminder that it takes a complete cyclist to win the Tour de France. One that is good on all terrain, can read a race, seize an opportunity and test his rivals at any moment.

By attacking on the descent with 6km left to race on Stage 1 of the Dauphine, Evans delivered a reminder of one of the critical moments in the 2011 Tour de France.

On the rain soaked Stage 16 into Gap, he attacked on a tricky descent, one that effectively ended Joseba Beloki’s career in 2003, and took time on all the yellow jersey contenders.

Two of the best descenders in the world, Samuel Sanchez and Alberto Contador, lost contact with the former mountain biker and conceded three seconds. Three second isn’t much on the results sheet but it was significant psychologically.

Andy Schleck, on the other hand, lost 1 minute and 36 seconds, a massive blow to his chances physically and psychologically. Despite his extraordinary stage win on the Col du Galibier, and claiming the yellow jersey at Alpe d’Huez, he never really recovered from the beating inflicted into Gap.

In addition to being able to climb and time trial, winning the Tour requires you to be able to descend and defend yourself at the front of the peloton on the flat windy stages.

At the top of the list of contenders aiming to prevent Evans from defending his Tour crown is Bradley Wiggins (Sky).

Wiggins has had an almost perfect season. But he has his weaknesses.

One of them is fighting for position on the flat windy stages. On Stage 7 to Chateauroux last year he was caught out in the crosswind and got tangled up in a crash that resulted in a broken collarbone. Tour over.

Sky will have a very strong presence at the front of the peloton at this year’s Tour to prevent that from happening again.

There is also a small question mark over his ability to descend with the very best.

By attacking on a descent, which saw a few riders overshoot one of its tight corners, Evans has reminded all his rivals, particularly Wiggins, that there will be no opportunities to relax in July.

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09 Jun 2012 15:14 AEST

josh

From: Launceston

I loved listening to "the screamer"s commentry to be honest. the last 10 minutes of each stage was screaming and it made the whole thing more dramatic

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07 Jun 2012 18:38 AEST

Sammi Tsegay

From: Ascot Vale

Hi Folks, just quickly regarding the new Eritrean sensation that has popped onto the pro-tour arena, Daniel Teklehaimanot. I have heard Matts pronunciation, at least attempt, of his surname at the Dauphine. Top marks for having ago, but I need to correct you Matt simply because it come out sounding wrong. Its easy, Tekle then hi as in high, ma as in mom, then not, as in tie a knot, so when you put it all together its Tekle-hi-ma-knot. Good luck and looking forward to your commentary. Love it.

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06 Jun 2012 22:29 AEST

Nigel

From: Cairns

That Daniel bloke who did the expert stuff on the Giro was good (not the screamer, he was hopeless). He would be a good fit with Matt I reckon.

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06 Jun 2012 22:25 AEST

Nigel

From: Cairns

Hmm, maybe, and you forgot his feats on the mountain bike. But it depends on what criteria is used to judge. If you look at someone like Stu O'Grady, he has been an Olympic gold medalist on the track, won stages of the Tour - including team time trial stages, second in the green jersey competition (arguably tougher than the yellow) and then changed to a domestique capable of dragging Sastre and the Schleks over the Galibier and Telegraph, oh and won Paris Roubaix of course. Then there is Lance

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06 Jun 2012 19:20 AEST

Steve Thomson

From: Sydney

Further to Henry's comment, I was very glad to hear your voice again Matthew and equally surprised you were on Eurosport! May I please make one constructive comment? You refer to riders "that" do things, but it would sound much better if you refer to riders "who" do things. Just think of Cadel Evans "who" won the Tour. Looking forward to hearing your commentary on the Tour very soon!

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06 Jun 2012 18:52 AEST

Simone

From:

Aint going to happen. Wiggo is who Sky have - rightly - backed for GC for TdF, and this season shows him on track. Froome has been vulnerable this year to illness and injury, as it has to be said has also been the case in previous years. I'm a big Froome fan, but he has yet to show consistency, as well as being uproven as a leader - and since last year's Dauphine, Wiggo has shown abilities in both areas. Roll on the Tour - its going to be a great rivalry!

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06 Jun 2012 17:19 AEST

Henry

From: Melbourne

I recorded last nights stage on IQ off Eurosport and watched this morning with Matty commentating instead of those dullards from Eurosport. Matt, how did this happen? Can they take the SBS commentary? I'm happy, but just don't understand how it happened?

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06 Jun 2012 12:07 AEST

Jan Smith

From: Dapto

Thank heavens it,s only matthew doing the commentary. I am 66, not a bicycle rider but I love watching the races on T.V. I like listening to the the places they pass through. NOT a pile of stones outside Moro? as in the Giro.I like to know about the riders , who has a swiss wife ect, I realise that facts and figures are important to the dedicated bike riders but DRAW BREATH. I have been listening to Phil commentate all my life, take a leaf from his book. will be watching and hoping.

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06 Jun 2012 9:25 AEST

Chris

From: Bundaberg

Yes, we all love Matthew Keenan and he is doing a sterling job but is there anyone who can help you Matt ??

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06 Jun 2012 0:57 AEST

Matt Keenan

From: France

Mike, if the truth be know I'm a bit of a nerd.

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