Quiet success for Australia

Saxo Bank's Stuart O'Grady was one of the quiet achievers (Getty)

For the first time since 2000, Australian riders will walk away from a Tour de France empty-handed.

There will be no stage wins, no final podium finishes and no wearing of green or yellow jerseys by riders who have figured so prominently in this race for such a long time.

Not that it's been a disappointing Tour, and nor does it mean we're currently going through a lean cyclical period.

In fact to the contrary, Australians have played a major role without standing on the winner's podium for the three week duration.

Take the Australian connection in Team Columbia, for example.

Mark Cavendish has praised the incredible workload of Mark Renshaw and Mick Rogers as integral to his record stage haul.

And what about the workload from 'Mr Reliable' Stuart O'Grady at the front of the peloton for Saxo Bank? Particularly in the third week through the Alps, in an effort to guide Andy Schleck to success.

Brett Lancaster has also done a graceful job for Cervelo's green jersey conquerer Thor Hushovd.

And there was the effort of Silence-Lotto's Matthew Lloyd as he rode his first Tour de France, all in support of Cadel Evans.

There has already written a lot written and said about Australia's best cyclist, Cadel Evans, but it's important to note that his toughness was obvious despite any setbacks in this one race. He will be back.

And let's not forget to acknowledge the directorship of Australian team bosses Matt White and Allan Peiper for teams Garmin-Slipstream and Columbia-HTC respectively.

Of course, one of the biggest thrills of the Tour was seeing the raw emotion expressed by Heinrich Haussler when crossing the finish line as a winner into the city of Colmar.

Sure, we have claimed the Aussie-born German from Inverell, but he is technically a German in this race - thankfully that will change from next year.

It's unfortunate that none of these achievements and behind-the-scenes successes will be considered for nomination by Australia's cycling authorities at the end-of-year-awards.

So while the trophy cabinet may be bare in 2009, the future remains bright with these performers and the likes of up-and-coming junior stars such as Cameron Meyer and Jack Borbridge - both now linked with pro-teams and both destined to make their Tour de France debut sooner rather than later.