Cadel Evans - 2011 Tour de France Champion

[Boomz]

Uh, hate to burst everyone's bubble, but there's still one more stage left...

...so technically he hasn't won.....yet.  :-\

And before people tell me he's too far in front, its an easy stage...etc. The last stage in the 1987 race saw Greg LeMond overtake (the yellow jersey holder at the time) Laurent Fignon to win by eight seconds (after starting 50 seconds behind). :o Everyone had expected Fignon to win, even the French newspapers had already prepared special editions with Fignon on the front page, preparing for his victory.

Remember, its not over until its over!

They can't attack, it's a formality.

[reesbr]

Cadel you legend!!!! Done everyone proud

[RiOtChEsS]

Uh, hate to burst everyone's bubble, but there's still one more stage left...

...so technically he hasn't won.....yet.  :-\

And before people tell me he's too far in front, its an easy stage...etc. The last stage in the 1987 race saw Greg LeMond overtake (the yellow jersey holder at the time) Laurent Fignon to win by eight seconds (after starting 50 seconds behind). :o Everyone had expected Fignon to win, even the French newspapers had already prepared special editions with Fignon on the front page, preparing for his victory.

Remember, its not over until its over!

They can't attack, it's a formality.

yeah exacly, its a procession... i was spewing Cadel couldnt attack when in second years ago, now the roles r reversed im happy ;)

[Zarts]

^ last stage is a traditional stage- if you go hard out they might even disqualify you :P

[North Melbournes Finest]

I don't understand, someone explain this last stage to me a bit more clearly.

[hawk_88]

It is essentially the closing ceremony.

It is traditional that positions are maintained for the final ride into Paris. Whilst it isn't technically in the rules (from my understanding) it is a bit like the honour system in soccer for injuries.

However, if he was unable to finish he wouldn't win.

[Zarts]

my dad reckons they'll try to disqualify him in the final stage, because to quote him
'they all hate it when australians win something other than swimming/ cricket'

I wonder what the odds are if you bet on cadel not to win :P

[RiOtChEsS]

my dad reckons they'll try to disqualify him in the final stage, because to quote him
'they all hate it when australians win something other than swimming/ cricket'

I wonder what the odds are if you bet on cadel not to win :P

if that were to happen u would think Soccer controls Cycling... and a rider from Qatar is going to bob up and win :-X

[BratPack]

While there'll be no attacks. c4v3m4n is right. He can't BE champion till the final stage is run. We're talking about a race that's already had 4 riders wiped out by a camera car. He still has to finish tonight

[c4v3m4n]

While there'll be no attacks. c4v3m4n is right. He can't BE champion till the final stage is run. We're talking about a race that's already had 4 riders wiped out by a camera car. He still has to finish tonight.

It's true, can't win if you don't finish.

[The return]

when is the final stage?

go cadel

[BratPack]

when is the final stage?

go cadel

Tonight @ 10

[CrowsFan]

I wonder if he will drink champagne like Armstrong used to do on the final stage ;D

[RiOtChEsS]

I wonder if he will drink champagne like Armstrong used to do on the final stage ;D

[Wes Mantooth]

While there'll be no attacks. c4v3m4n is right. He can't BE champion till the final stage is run. We're talking about a race that's already had 4 riders wiped out by a camera car. He still has to finish tonight.

It's true, can't win if you don't finish.

He'll finish.

Great to see such a tradition in modern sports. So refreshing from everything else. TDF is seriously the best sporting event in the world.