Phil Anderson: Every second counts for Evans at Giro d'Italia

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Cadel Evans (BMC)(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)

It could all come down to stage 12’s individual time trial for 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Cadel Evans (BMC) in his bid to become the first Australian to win the Giro d’Italia – professional cycling’s second most prominent and respected Grand Tou෴r behind the iconic Tour de France, which Evans won in 2011.

Evans has comfortably held the leader’s slot since slipping into the maglia rosa on stage eight. It followed Orica-GreenEdge’s stranglehold of the pink jersey over the first seven stages – including fellow Australian Michael Matthews’ six-day reign atop the general classification before conceding the lead to Evans. Matthews 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:late🎉r and pulled out of the race after stage 10 due to injuries sustained in crash on stage ninꦆe.

“I don’t think Thursday is a make or break stage,” said Aಌnderson – who became the first non-European to wear th🌌e Tour’s Maillot Jaune in 1981. “However, Cadel knows every second gained now will greatly benefit his chances of hanging on the leader’s jersey to the end. It’s better for Cadel to have seconds in the pocket rather than having to pull it back later and success tonight could take the pressure off him later in the race.”

“Unlike last year, his teammates are committing fully to Cadel,” said Anderson referring to Evans’ third place finish behind race winner Vincenzo Nibali (Astana) and Uran. “BMC is not saving themselves for the Tour. I don’t think they are going to be riding 𝓡for a yellow jersey at the Tour de France w⛦ith [Tejay] van Garderen who has been struggling as of late. So they should be riding as if they are possessed by this pink jersey and die defending it.”