Eurosport expert Stephen Roche believes Cadel Evans must use the first mountain stage of the Tour de France to ride himself back into contention for the yellow jersey.

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A disappointing performance from Silence-Lotto in the team time-trial has left the Australian almost three minutes adrift on the general classification, and Roche insisted stage seven's climb to Andorra could be the launch pad for Evans to go against his natural instincts and surprise his rivals with an attack.

"They [Evans' rivals] don't really rate Cadel Evans as a potential Tour winner," Roche said.

"They rate him as being a good rider, a potential podium finisher, but not as a Tour winner because they know on the climbs he will be limited and he'll follow, and on the time-trials he will also be a bit limited.

"But if Cadel Evans gets ahead, then we don't know what will happen, because we've never seen it before.

"I'm sure he'll be thinking about how to get around these guys, and planning on getting away at some stage. He'll be planning on trying to get away somewhere, hoping the other guys will sit up and wonder who will chase."

STAGE SEVEN LIVE on Friday 10th July at 12.30pm on British Eurosport (Sky 410 / Virgin Media 521); Also available on your PC via the Eurosport Player - click on the link under the picture to subscribe