When Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) started stage 9 between Morzine-Avoriaz and Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, his one and only day in yellow in this year’s Tour, he did so with a fractured left elbow. The team took the decision not to announce the World champion’s injury to the public, lest his rivals try to put him under pressure early in the stage.
Not only did BMC Racing not let the outside world in on the secret, but Evans’ teammates were also kept in the dark, according to Karsten Kroon.
“It was a good decision to keep it secret,” Kroon told AD Sportwereld. “If you tell the team then soon there are 20 people who know. Then this would soon be leaked to his competitors who will smell blood.”
Kroon was one rider who was impressed by the Australian’s courage. Having sustained the injury in a crash during the early kilometres of stage X, between Station des Rousses and Morzine-Avoriaz, Evans finished the summit finish in a group with most of the race favourites; losing just 10 seconds to stage winner Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank).
“I thought it was a miracle that he got back on his bike, just so that he could get the yellow jersey at the end of the day,” he said.
Sadly for Evans, his climbing style involves a lot of riding out of the saddle, using his arms a lot more than many other riders. On the steep climb to the Col de la Madeleine he was unable to respond to the relentless pace set by the Astana team and he lost his race lead.
Although there were emotional scenes between the World champion and BMC Racing domestique Steve Morabito when Kroon reached the team bus the Australian was much calmer, impressing him further.
“[He was] sat there browsing in the roadbook,” said Kroon, “I would have been sitting in a dark corner crying.
“We will see him again in this Tour,” the Dutchman added.