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!
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/brettok@velominati.com/Cadel/”/]
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I heard that Cadel has not been well all week . Could be a case of Cadelephantitis . Rumours of swollen groinage are going around.
Good one Brett. I for one was cemented as a Cadel fan this year for all the reasons you state. His riding was very similar to Veino's only Good Cadel had the rainbow cred to back him up. It'd be cool to see a defense of the title. That's only happened what, like three times? I don't think it's in the cards but if Really Good Cadel shows up, which is always a possibility just impossible to predict, we could have a double rainbow on our hands.
I have a love hate relationship with Cadel. I always root for the underdog and he always seemed to be just that. But he does have a tendency to get freaky and he whines too. The difference (between him and the CotHO) though is that I perceive his quirks as those of one who struggles with the pressures of trying to be an elite athlete and a nice person at the same time. I think I identify with him but maybe I'm just projecting what I perceive about myself on him. As I've embraced racing and new found fitness I struggle with people's perception of me. I want to ride hard and fast ALL the time and a lot of people that I ride with perceive my hard riding as ARPishness. When in reality I just want everybody to reap what I did when I was hanging on for dear life on THEIR wheels. I'm just trying to return the favor. "You guys made me faster - I want to make you faster" But people don't always know what's going on in your head and so misconceptions happen and you get a reputation that might not be entirely accurate. So, anyway, I would love to see Cadel defend his title but I don't think it will happen. But then again maybe the timing is right. He has the let down of the way things played out in the Tour and things have been pretty quiet about him lately so he might come out swinging.
Yeah, the rumor mill is rife with the notion that the course is more like Stuttgart than other courses. It could happen; he was in the winning move there, and - coincidentally - that was also the scene of a successful defense.
Good one Brett. It's great to see someone like Cadel use the Rainbow jersey as an affirmation of his ability. He won that jersey the hard way and he has taken it to his competition throughout 2010. This must be his best 12 months of his pro career?
whew...I thought you were going to show a photo of Cipo as an example of rainbow excess.
Having watched the TT's and the under-23 race I'd say there is a good chance the race will end in a bunch sprint. The uphill finish isn't that uphill. No-one can afford to take Cavendish to the finish. Belgium, Italy, Netherlands and Australia amongst others will need to get their hitters away anyway as they can't afford any bunch sprint. USA and Norway would be gambling to allow a sprint, might not have any option in the matter for their teams, but I'd expect Thor and Corn-fed to be up for the challenge
I don't see the finish as being steep enough to undo Cav, he would have to lose the race if he is in the mix at the end.
Millar stated that the race would explode, but the under-23 didn't.
Gilbert, will attack the last time up the big hill, however it will have to be a huge attack not to be brought back on the long straights to the finish. Cancellara could be the key and if he got away along with Gilbert would be one of the few I'd give a chance of staying away.
Good one on Cuddles Brett, but I have to say, I thought that the Curse is alive and well in that Cuddles has been nuetered all year absent Stage 7 in the Giro. The other results are short of a podium and short of what I would claim as 'stellar'.
@john
Ahhhh, the Rainbow Turd.
I'm going to try and watch the road race online via Eurosport. I'm trying to figure out what time it will be on in the eastern U.S. (EST). Anyone know?
It starts at 10:00 on Sunday Aussie time, but there is daylight savings kicking in.
Does that mean it'll be on at 17:00 Saturday for me? Or is my math way off...
@john
That's what I'd thought, too. We forget, though, that Cipo is the one who invented matching your shit...when he did it, it was novel and cool. When other's copied him, it was tacky.
@Cyclops
I'm with you, I struggle the same way with Cadel. But good on him - his Giro was mudtacular. The Strada will go down as one of the best stages of any race ever. Epic.
@Jarvis
Great analysis, mate. Faboo is quickly being a dominant rider which means I might have to reconsider loving him so damn much, but I'd certainly be stoked if he took the bands. I think my money's on Gilbert. VSP posting shortly - get your picks ready.
@Souleur
He had a great spring and aside from a broken elbow, a good Tour...that's better than most. Although, Boonen had a great year in the bands as well.