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Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) adjusts his bike before Tour de France stage two. (Image credit: sirott)
Cadel Evans leads the Silence-Lotto team during the team time trial. (Image credit: AFP)
Belgian cycling team Silence-Lotto leader Cadel Evans pushes the pace. (Image credit: AFP)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) rides to the start of stage five. (Image credit: sirott)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) signs autographs for eager Aussie fans prior to the start of Stage 5. (Image credit: James Huang/Cyclingnews.com)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) put in a strong attack on the climb to Andorre Arcalis. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) leads the race favourites across the line, 19 seconds behind Contador. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) leads the escape group. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) corners (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) (Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) finishes with the bunch on stage 10. (Image credit: Sirotti)
Sastre checks to see how far back Evans is (Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) was dropped by Carlos Sastre (Cervelo TestTeam) (Image credit: Sirotti)
Lance Armstrong (Astana) leads Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) on the final climb. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) on his way to 7th place in Verbier. (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) (Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) finished 12th in the Annecy time trial. (Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) in action during the Annecy time trial. (Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans (Silence - Lotto) ponders on the start ramp. (Image credit: Russell Standring)
Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) rides in a group on Mont Ventoux. (Image credit: Sirotti)
Cadel Evans (Silence Lotto) nears the end of a frustrating Tour de France (Image credit: Sirotti)
They're always tough but Cadel Evans has had a particularly tough Tour de France.
Second overall for the past two years, Evans campaign was rocked just the day before the race when his teammate, Thomas Dekker, was suspended by the team for alleged doping offences.
Five days later, in the team time trial around Montpellier, his team finished behind every favourite for overall honours. To his credit, Evans hasn't made excuses and continued to fight on the roads of France. He was active in the Pyrenees, attacking his rivals on stage eight as he looked to pull back time.
Latest Videos From He may be 17th overall at the moment but there's time yet for Evans to make a mark on this year's Tour.
Click here to view images of Cadel Evans' Tour de France
