Sleepless in Sydney

Cadel Evans displayed his usual grit and determination to take fifth in the Giro d'Italia but it just wasn't enough in his attempt to win his first grand tour, writes Mike Tomalaris.

I'm probably not alone in the band of Cadel Evans supporters who have been left a little frustrated and disappointed that the "little Aussie battler" failed to make it onto the podium at the Giro d'Italia.

It goes without saying he was brilliant in his attempt to win the Italian Grand Tour.

I know he gave me many long sleepless nights of TV viewing as he attempted to claw his way back to the top of the General Classification.

From the Amsterdam start to the Verona finish and every day in between, Cadel fought so hard. Shame it ended up being a tough and lonely battle!

The demise and disintegration of BMC during the three week journey obviously played a role.

Hindsight is wonderful, but I was never confident, prior to the Giro, that Cadel's teammates would be able to carry their Australian team captain over the finish line.

I'm not here to bag Australia's finest cycling product and the reigning world champion.

To the contrary, I'd rather commend at the way he has performed and presented himself since snaring the rainbow jersey in Mendrisio in September last year.

His focus to racing and his hungry attitude on the roads have noticeably changed in that time.

We've no doubt seen a different man to the one who resorted to having personal battles with some sectors of the international media when racing for Silence-Lotto.

If internal problems within BMC that haven't come to light is ultimately responsible for Cadel's inability to climb the Giro podium this year, then so be it.

Either way, to finish fifth in the most unpredictable Giro in decades must be commended.

But by reading some of the comments on Cycling Central, many of Cadel's followers have expressed their frustration that he failed to grab the Giro's pink prize.

And while I hope that he and BMC can move on and learn from the Giro experience, I'm wondering if a win is indeed possible at the Tour de France.

George Hincapie will be back for a record 15th appearance and Alessandro Ballan will probably do the job as a domestique, but can Cadel simply rely on two old hands to do the job?

I'd like to say "yes he can", but I'm not so sure, especially after scanning form guide of the names on BMC roster.

Apart from Dutch hardman Karsten Kroon and experienced German Marcus Burghardt, it's a roster that leaves me cold.

Remember when many of us expressed our bewilderment when the announcement of the Cadel's move to BMC was first released in August last year?

Regrettably, Cadel doesn't make my top five list of Tour de France predictions - I've included another Australian, Michael Rogers, instead.

I'd like to be proven wrong but one thing's for sure I know he'll again give it everything he's got.

Though, as he learned at the Giro, it may not be enough.