Cadel Evans makes history, first Australian to become Tour de France winner



2011 Tour de France Champion Cadel Evans
Image credit: Getty Images

Cadel Evans becomes the 2011 Tour de France winner earning him a place in the history books as the first Australian to do so as reported by several international sports news sites, July 25, 2011.

As reported, Cadel Evans had to endure years of not becoming the champion as he finished 2^nd in the 2007 Tour and runner-up again the following year but this time it is different as he bags the 2011 Tour de France after the 21^st and final stage of the race.

After the race, Evans was quoted as saying, "A few people always believed in me. I believed in me. And those few people, my team and a few people around me and myself are what mattered most,” and "Here we are today. We did it.”

It was revealed that when reporters asked him about the possible impact of his victory both to his career and the sport in his homeland, Evans answered, "I haven't had time to consider it in that aspect to be honest," and "I'll have to reflect on it a bit.”

He further adds, "It's been such a focused process every day,” followed by "Not just day by day this month – month by month, year by year, it's been a long, long, long process.”

Tour de France 2011

Final Standings: Top 10

1. Cadel Evans (AUS/BMC) 86hr 12min 22sec
2. Andy Schleck (LUX/LEO) 1:34
3. Frank Schleck (LUX/LEO) 2:30
4. Thomas Voeckler (FRA/EUC) 3:20
5. Alberto Contador (ESP/SBS) 3:57
6. Samuel Sanchez (ESP/EUS) 4:55
7. Damiano Cunego (ITA/LAM) 6:05
8. Ivan Basso (ITA/LIQ) 7:23
9. Tom Danielson (USA/GRM) 8:15
10. Jean Christophe Peraud (FRA/ALM) 10:11