The Tour of Romandie marked Cadel Evans’ (BMC racing) second stage race victory of the season after winning Tirreno-Adriatico in March. The Australia was forced to sit out of the Ardennes classics due to the recurrence of a quadricep injury, but recovered well to take the top honours in Switzerland. Speaking after the race Evans said he was "very satisfied" with the result.
"Any stage race victory on the World Tour is hard, so certainly this is a big win," Evans said.
"It's a bit strange to have won the overall and not to have won a stage. But I got a bit unlucky at the finish in Romont, and in the time trial when the wind conditions were a bit unfavorable to the later starters. But certainly, in a couple days when I have time to look back, I'll be very, very satisfied with the season so far."
"It's the first time I have had the opportunity to race with newcomers Santaromita, Tschopp and Moinard," said Evans on his blog.
"I'm happy they are all on our team - 'Santino' was everything I expected after our months of training together [at the Mapei Sports centre]."
"Tschopp is making a good return from illness - and Moinard is a very motivated and reliable team mate."
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Team Directeur Sportif John Lelangue said the decision to rest Evans for the Ardennes was vindicated by the win at Romandie.
"I think that allowed him to continue to do the time trial intensity work he needed," Lelangue said.
"We took things day-by-day and he was feeling better and better. We didn't know how he was going to be for the time trial, but he is back on the level. Now he needs to rest and recover a bit and then prepare for his next test, which will be the Critérium du Dauphiné."
Cadel’s win at Romandie also moved him up the UCI standings, the BMC rider now sits 3rd overall and has a realistic chance of repeating his 2007 UCI World Tour success.
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Alex Hinds is a graduate of Economics and Political Science from Sydney University. Growing up in the metropolitan area of the city he quickly became a bike junkie, dabbling in mountain and road riding. Alex raced on the road in his late teens, but with the time demands of work and university proving too much, decided not to further pursue full-time riding.
If he was going to be involved in cycling in another way the media seemed the next best bet and jumped at the opportunity to work in the Sydney office of Cyclingnews when an offer arose in early 2011.
Though the WorldTour is of course a huge point of focus throughout the year, Alex also takes a keen interest in the domestic racing scene with a view to helping foster the careers of the next generation of cycling.
When not writing for Cyclingnews Alex is a strong proponent of the awareness of cyclists on the road in Sydney having had a few close run-ins with city traffic in the past.
