Cadel Evans reacts to today's tactics

Cadel Evans pulling the chase group ©Graham Watson

Jul 22nd, 11. "When Voeckler and his team stopped riding and he has the yellow jersey, it was a bit bizarre and strange," Cadel Evans said.

The BMC leader shouldered the bulk of the workload leading the pursuit of stage winner Andy Schleck (Leopard Trek) up the final climb of the Galibier.

Evans impressively pulled back nearly 45sec from Schleck in the final kilometre, but it was not enough to prevent him from losing his grip on 2nd place overall.

Andy and Frank Schleck both moved ahead of Evans. Thomas Voeckler (Europcar) clung to the overall lead by 15sec on Andy Schleck and is 1m12 ahead of Evans, who is now 4th.

"When Voeckler and his team stopped riding and he has the yellow (jersey), it was a bit bizarre and strange," Evans said. "They've been riding a lot all week, but he had a teammate in the end, too. They sort of looked at me to do the work, but I was alone, too. I'm never happy to lose places on GC."

While Evans did all the work, Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank) and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel Euskadi) fell off the pace and, most likely, out of overall contention.

Cadel's Blog

from cadelevans.com.au

One of the harder days of this Tour.....thus far, by a long shot!

A very strong effort by Andy Schleck and his Leopard crew; how they managed to take so much time in the valley from Briancon up to the Lauteret was a little mystifying.

Four guys riding into a block headwind - who had already made an effort just get in the break and make time - is not usually a match for the combo of up to ten men behind with fresher legs. Work cohesion maybe? That would explain some of the teams Team Time Trial results.

Compliments to Andy and Leopard for however they managed that.

Behind in our group, with 15km to go, no one was willing to work. A bit strange for a French guy in yellow, this close to Paris.....and even a chance for the White jersey as well.

For me, without Voeckler's help, it put me in a loosing situation, with the wind though, escaping from the group was going to be very difficult but not very time effective, so, I just did one turn....for 9km....Basso did swap off for a few seconds, and I think that Europcar guy who could have had White today did one short turn as well, not how I would be looking to set myself for Paris, but we'll see when we get there.

Tomorrow, more of the same, just shorter and sharper.

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