World champion Cadel Evans went into the first rest day of the Tour de France having earned the coveted maillot jaune for the second time in his career. He crashed early in the stage which could have spelled disaster for the rainbow jersey, but he managed to push through the stage and finish in the group containing the overall favorites. Andy Schleck represented the only contender that was able to break free, and in the final kilometer he was able to finish 10 seconds ahead of the rest.
One of the questions going into the 2010 Tour de France was whether Evans' move over to BMC Racing would continue his history as an overall contender without a team to look after him. It was just two months ago that the Australian pulled the maglia rosa over his shoulders at the Giro d'Italia, but he lacked a strong team to provide him with support during critical stages of the race. BMC Racing was admittedly spread thin during the month of May since they were also sending a squad to compete in the Tour of California. There's no doubt that this BMC Racing team is stronger than the roster from the Giro d'Italia, but with Steve Morabito being the next best finisher for the squad at 2 minutes and 5 seconds back, the World champion looks again like he will be fighting some of the key battles for the yellow jersey alone.
Evans will likely be unfazed by the prospect of not having support in the mountains, and that could prove to be a distinct psychological advantage for the World champion. Schleck won stage eight into Morzine with the team's best finisher, Jakob Fuglsang, finishing 11 minutes and 27 seconds behind their team leader. Carlos Sastre (Cervelo TestTeam) also arrived at the finish alone, with Volodymir Gustov more than four minutes off the pace. Only Liquigas, with Ivan Basso and Roman Kreuziger, and Rabobank, with Denis Menchov and Robert Gesink, ended the stage in numbers. Alberto Contador (Astana) and Levi Leipheimer (RadioShack) were alone for different reasons, but will likely have a team around them as the race goes on.
While the scorching temperatures likely played a role in what ended up being isolation for some of the team leaders, it also demonstrates just how wide open this Tour de France will be. Evans could potentially see less attacks from the mountain goats if yesterday's scenario repeats itself, and with Leipheimer not an exceptional climber, RadioShack isn't likely to burn off their newly minted leader. The Australian remains optimistic about his chances on the race's first rest day, and clearly understands that his team has done everything they could to help him into his current position as the race leader.
"For me personally, getting the yellow jersey at the Tour is always something special. To swap the rainbow jersey for the yellow jersey is a rare honor that I have had the honor to experience. But also for the team and all the work we've put in together – not just for the Tour – but everyone who has been involved in building up the BMC Racing Team, it's a nice reward," Evans explained. "I walked down to the dinner table last night with the yellow jersey and gave it to Jacques Michaud (BMC Racing Team Assistant Director), whose birthday it was. I think he was happy to see that."
He was fortunate that yesterday's crash didn't affect his riding on what ended up being a day where incidents on the road took RadioShack leader Lance Armstrong out of contention.
"I have a very sore left arm. But the legs are still going. That's the important thing. It's a little bit uncomfortable right now, but hopefully by tomorrow it will come around. With another good night's sleep, I should be all right. I'm going to try and take it as easy as possible. And do a lot of physical therapy on the left arm."
The last rider to trade in his rainbow jersey for the maillot jaune was Belgian Tom Boonen (Quick Step) in 2006, but its been quite some time since a World champion has been in contention for the final podium in Paris. The last man to follow through with that rare feat was three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond in 1990, in what was his final victory in the race.