It's a widely held belief in the pro road racing ranks that winning the World Championships can have an adverse affect on the rider's following season; The Curse of The Rainbow Jersey. And while there may be some merit to it (see Simpson, Roche, Dhaenens, Leblanc, Brochard, Astarloa, Ballan et al), it's usually more a case of the rider just not winning as many races as they would like, or expected by the fans and critics alike. In recent times, the one rider to do more to honour the bands than any other is Cadel Evans.
From the moment he made his race-winning attack on the final climb in Mendrosio one year ago, Cadel has ridden like a man possessed, not by a curse, but more a blessing. It was like he was saying to his many detractors “See these bands, they give me power. Eat your words, eat my dust.” No sooner had he donned the sacred garment than he was putting in incredible, attacking rides in support of his then-teammate Phillipe Gilbert, helping him to take emphatic victories at Paris Tours and Giro de Lombardia. Already the curse was being lifted. But it would be 2010 that would see him dig a grave and put the myth six feet under.
In a somewhat ballsy move in itself, Evans left the ProTour-licensed Lotto team and moved the the Continental registered BMC Racing team. Not being guaranteed a spot on the Tour de France seemed to matter little to Cadel, and in fact may have even spurred him on to prove that he and the team deserved to be there on merit through letting the results do the talking. Right from the word go at the Tour Down Under he was on the attack.
His early season form was nothing short of outstanding, taking a big win at La Fleche Wallone, 4th at Liege-Bastogne-Liege and wearing the Maglia Rosa at the Giro, where he also won the Points and Azzuria jerseys before finishing 5th on GC. Coming into the Tour on good form and with high hopes, he showed he wasn't going to sit back and wait for the race to come to him, smashing across the cobbles on the epic Stage 3, and taking the Maillot Jaune on Stage 9, despite a fractured elbow suffered in a crash early in the stage. Unfortunately, this would see him lose big time over the next few stages, but in his newfound hardman persona, he gritted his teeth and finished in Paris, disappointed but by no means shamed.
In a year when many expected Cadel to crumble under the weight of the jersey, he rose above to gain a respect that had been unforthcoming for so long but is fully deserved. He applied ample helpings of Rule #5, conformed admirably with Rule #15, earned himself a coveted place in The Lexicon, inhaled many a wasp, and didn't go overboard on the stripes on his bike and kit. Going into Sunday's race as a favourite, I for one would love to see Cadel repeat as World Champ in front of his hometown crowd, and spend another year in the jersey that he has made his in 2010.
Chapeau Cadelephant. Or as we say in Australia, you bloody little bewdy!
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It is common but erroneous to call it Cadelephantitis. The correct term is Cadelephantiasis.
Others have probably made this observation before, but there is something oddly V-like about the Cadelian chin cleft.
Cav has 2 team mates? The rest of the teams are going to realize that taking Cav to the line is stupid and they will (or should) race accordingly. He simply doesn't have the team to control the race, so if he wins the big teams should all kick themselves for not racing aggressively enough.
The secret to liking Evans is to turn the volume off immediately you see him getting off his bike and before his mouth starts to move. He has had a great year, shown massive amounts of V (that win in the Giro was truly a magnificent ride). If you look at his career through the filter of this year I think you have to doff your hat to the guy. He's a pretty accomplished bike racer.
@Nof Landrien
the on ething about the worlds is that they tend to be very negative, a wearing down process whereby the strongest and those able to cover the distance will be there at the end.
Cavendish is not in a position to even think about controlling the race and must simply ride as per other teams. The three British riders will be sitting tight and following wheels, they are all very experienced PROs and can last the distance. Millar will be slated for any break with the main hitters in it that goes in the last couple of laps. Hunt is there to watch out for Cav and to lead him out. Cav might even have to ensure he gets his own bottles and food. I wouldn't rule him out, but he'll need luck and other teams incompetence (hence why I wouldn't rule him out).
@Jarvis
I think it's telling that Bettini did not include a sprinter for the Italians. Jesus, if he can't read a course like this who can? I'm not putting Cav on the podium. Gilbert, Pozzato, Faboooo, these sort of excitable boys should do well. I would be most excited to see Fabu win, just because...he's Faboooulous
Word. He's done the stripes proud on the bike, and been a whinging bitch much of the time off it. That's Cuddles tho. And I enjoyed the fisticuffs at the Giro... http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/video/20052010/58/angry-evans-hits.html
@Souleur
Harsh! He hadn't won a road race before Worlds, has won two since, and held both the yellow and pink jerseys! If that's a bad year, I'd love to know who had a good one.
The Belgians and Italians are going to ride at warp speed to try and shake the super rapid boys. Cav's problem will be if he's dropped before Farrar or Goss on the hills and so can't wheel suck his way back into touch with the lead. My money's on Alby Davis - he's geared his whole year towards this race, and is hitting form at the right time. I think it's too long over the top for Cadel to stay away if he hits them on the climb.
Two outside shots for me are Stuie O'Grady and Julian Dean. The warhorses are in good nick apparently, and would both feature very highly if in a small selection late. It's going to be a great race regardless! Hopefully the Victorian people aren't all too hungover to get on board and watch.