A surprise to many, Davitamon's Cadel Evans rode an astonishing final time trial in Lausanne, Switzerland on Sunday to take the final stage of the Tour de Romandie as well as the general classification. Until the Australian came into the finish, Discovery's Leif Hoste led the challenging 20.4 km-time trial over CSC's Bobby Julich - but Evans simply crushed the Belgian by another 22 seconds.
Behind, overall leader Alberto Contador (Liberty Seguros) was having a really hard time getting over the last kilometre's false flat, as he had spent his energy on then-second-placed Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne) - but the fellow Spaniard didn't turn out to be the threat to look out for.
"I knew I was going well this week, and this morning, I woke up relaxed and calm. The pressure was not on me to win; it was on the others to lose," said a delighted Evans, most likely referring to Contador and Valverde, who bore the full brunt of the Aussie's might and power, finishing the race second and third overall.
"The course was perfect for me, and although the hills weren't big, I've been climbing well and also enjoy the time trial. I gave it everything I had, and to come away with the stage and overall victory is just superb!" Evans exclaimed.
