Tour de France - Evans dismisses Contador absence

Eurosport - Wed, 02 Jul 11:58:00 2008

Tour de France 2008 favourite Cadel Evans was dismissive of the absence of reigning champion Alberto Contador.

CYCLING 2008 Cadel Evans - 0

Asked if the victory would be devalued without the Spaniard racing, Australian Evans stated flatly: "Not really.

"A lot of people have asked me about this and I'm not annoyed about it, but not really, no.

"I don't make the rules, I just abide by them," the 31-year-old Silence-Lotto team leader added.

Contador's Astana squad have been barred following the doping scandals that rocked last year's race prior to Contador riding for the team.

Evans, who finished runner-up last year a mere 23 seconds behind the Spaniard after 3,547 kilometres of racing, assumed the role of top contender.

"In my first Tour [in 2005] I didn't know what I could achieve and neither did the team," he said. "I thought maybe the top ten was possible, but I finished eighth and took it from there.

"I still wasn't convinced I could win the Tour after the 2006 race, either [when he took fourth place]. But after 2007, I think winning is possible. And when they call me favourite, I take it as a compliment.

"Last year I felt proud of my achievements. My Tour had a huge impact in Australia in the media. My mother was interviewed on mainstream TV every night in the second part of the Tour," he added.

Frequently slated for his failure to attack in previous years, this spring Evans has silenced his critics with four solid wins.

The second during the Paris-Nice race in March was a summit finish on Mont Ventoux, a climb rated "the toughest in France" by seven-times Tour winner Lance Armstrong.

But it is in the Tour's time trials, not the Alps or Pyrenees, that former MTB World Cup winner Evans feels he will make the difference in the 2008 race.

"Logically, the time trials are where I should do best, and where I should be able to win the Tour."

Evans has led a major Tour on one occasion, when he was leader of the Giro d'Italia in 2002 during the third week, but then cracked badly on the last climb of the last mountain stage, the Folgaria, losing 15 minutes to eventual winner Paolo Savoldelli of Italy.

"I'm still kicking myself for losing that race." he said with a rueful grin. "But I can still remember the pressure you have when you're leading a big race as well."

Perhaps hinting that he would like to take the lead in the final time trial, Evans said: "The lead [of a major stage race] is a very heavy load to bear and it's something I'll remember during this year's Tour."

Cycling's image has been blighted by suspicion after repeated drugs scandals, the latest in the 2007 Tour when race leader Michael Rasmussen of Denmark was expelled for allegedly lying to his team.

But Evans said the sport is doing everything it can. "We [cyclists] must be the most drug-tested individuals on the planet."

Reuters

Comment 1 - 8 of 8

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  1. I would love to see Riccardo Ricco do well in his debut Tour. I shall be watching him. Enjoy the Tour, everyone.

    From anj014, on Thu 3 Jul 9:15PM

  2. I do not think Evans will win the tour de france. My favourites for the tour are the Schleck brothers,Cunego,Valverde,Pererio Sio and Popovych as an outsider for the tour.I thought the tour organisers should have invited Astana as Contador is the reigning champion and is the best rider in the pro tour at the minute. The ASO have made the race easier for other riders. If Evans is to win he needs to attack more in the mountains. Other riders that i have mentioned will have to go for broke in the mountains and hold their time in the time trials.

    From ryanchristie@rocketmail.com, on Wed 2 Jul 7:36PM

  3. We can speculate all we want to regarding this year's champion. The only thing we need to worry about is the ASO. They have changed the outcome of the race for the last two years. First, stripping Landis under questionable circumstances. Then, last year, they removed Rasmussen only once it became clear he pretty much had the victory locked up. They need to quit playing politics and let the racers race. Let's just see if they make it three years in a row. In a sense, they already have. Removing Contador and Astana has already changed the outcome of the Tour, if not the winner himself. You may not agree with my opinions, but you have to question the actions of the ASO. If they continue playing these games, they will have a lot more to worry about than doping.

    From bill_gohs, on Wed 2 Jul 7:10PM

  4. oh i almost forgot Sastre.

    From Andre, on Wed 2 Jul 5:06PM

  5. I think it totally depends on how much time Evans can pull out in the long time trials (if any). He might then not have to react to every attack. I personally do not believe Valverde or Cunego can win. My favorites for the race are Evans, Andy and Fränk Schleck, Menchov and 2006 winner Pereiro Sio. Outsider chances: Devolder, Popovych and Zubeldia.

    From Andre, on Wed 2 Jul 5:05PM

  6. I agree it doesnt really matter, because Evans is not going to win the Race. Sastre, Cunego, Valverde and the Schleck Boys will rip him up in the mountains. Its all very well winning a few races but this is the Tour, everything is faster and harder.

    From fuel.dave, on Wed 2 Jul 4:28PM

  7. Yep. What a seaming pile of d***ng. Evans has an attack of the "stupids". Once again ASO looks like a bunch if race-fixing idiots by leaving off the team with the last years champion and the Giro winner.

    It's like MLB telling the New York Yankees they can't be in the World series becasuse they have won it too many times. After Atana's showing in the TdS and the Duaphine and the Giro, ASO stands *again* exposed to the entire world as the bunch of nationalistic cheats they really are. Boycott the Tour de Farce. Whoever wins has not beaten the best stage racing team on the world nor last years champion. Put an asterick by the name of the Tour de Farce winner this year because he's no winner in my book. ASO has fixed the race by not allowing the best team and the previous winner of the Tour and the Giro to race. ASO is just pathetic and deserves any fair minded fan's utter scorn.

    From mercurycu, on Wed 2 Jul 4:17PM

  8. What load of @#$%!, you don't have the reigning champion from 2 of the last 3 Grans Tours and it doesn't matter!

    From crow4317, on Wed 2 Jul 4:02PM
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