Cadel Evans - A True Aussie Sporting Icon | Thebigtip

Cadel Evans has proved that he is many things at this year’s Tour de France. He is Methodical, calculated, persistent and prefers a life away from the media spotlight. All these qualities have helped Evans become the first Australian in history to win the Tour de France – the holy grail of competitive cycling.

At 34 years of age, Evans, barring a catastrophe on the last stage, will officially be recognized as the 2011 Tour de France champion – a result which will rank as one of the most illustrious sporting achievements any Australian athlete has achieved.

After his magnificent performance during the time trial, Evans will become the second oldest tour de France champion in history. The Australian’s ability to conjure such a result comes from his early success as a mountain bike rider, when he won two world championships in 1998 and 1999.

Although Evans’ notoriety as a legitimate Tour de France contender has reached fever pitch over the past four years, the Australian has generally preferred a life away from the media limelight.

Such a meticulous approach to his life as a professional cyclist has allowed Evans to dominate this year’s Tour de France. He controlled the mountain stages where he laid a terrific platform to launch an historic assault during the time trial.

Evans’ obsession for Tour de France glory was personified in his performance during the time trial. After coming so close in 2007 and 2008, there was no stopping the 34 year old from clinching the yellow jersey, thus securing his place in Australian sporting history.

It is no secret that Evans’ achievement ranks as one of Australia’s greatest sporting moments. But what impressed me the most about Evans at this year’s Tour de France was his ability to take nothing for granted.

After all, Evans’ life in particular has experienced its fair share of close calls. At 8 years of age, Evans was kicked in the head by a horse and doctors thought that he wouldn’t be able to walk again.

But after surviving that battle at such a tender age, Evans has gone on to prove that what doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger.

This has certainly proved to be the case throughout his cycling career. In his maiden Tour de France back in 2005, Evans finished in a respectable eighth position overall.

Two years later, Evans was just seconds away from winning the 2007 Tour de France. He repeated that performance in 2008.

Now, after 20 years of hard work and toil, Evans finally receives his just reward and will be officially recognized as the world’s best professional cyclist when he arrives in Paris.

Despite the massive accolades that await him, Evans’ methodical, persistent and calculated demeanor will not change – the sign of a champion Tour de France cyclist and the sign of a great human being.