The Australian Cycling Federation has announced the finalists for the cyclist of the year awards. Among the list are these three riders, you may have heard of them.
In 2006 Cadel equalled the highest overall placing ever by an Australian at the Tour de France finishing the three week epic in fifth place. During the season he also won a stage and overall honours in the Tour of Romandie and finished the year ranked fourth on the UCI ProTour rankings.
Robbie won the green sprinter’s jersey at the Tour de France for the third time and along the way scored three stage wins. Three stage victories in the Giro d’Italia were also amongst his 21 season victories.
Despite an enforced rest during the season to recover from five broken ribs and a collarbone fracture Stuart came back in fighting form to finish second in the Grand Prix Zurich and third in Paris-Tours. He was second overall in the Tour of Denmark and with CSC won the stage one team time trial of the Vuelta a España.
Of the three, Cadel Evans, receives my sentimental vote, but maybe a podium spot in this years Tour de France would have changed my mind from sentimental to deserved. Still he remains a serious threat next year in his targeted event where he may take one more step up the ladder to greatness.
Stuart O’Grady had a very tough early season with a big crash which resulted in some serious injuries, but as usual his class and veteran status allowed him to salvage the season with some good placings and provide excellent domestique support for his team (CSC Tiscali) in the Tour.
In the final analysis though, Robbie McEwen’s tactical versatility and sprinting smarts deserve the nod. His cleverness can be seen where he largely relies on his own tactical nous rather than the brute force of a leadout man in the finale of many races. His was another consistent season of wins in a range of races – and the big prize, another green jersey in the TdF.
