Cadel Evans – “There's always room for improvement...”

“There were more dramas than I expected or wanted and fighting for every second at the end was exhausting. The crash before the race reached the Pyrenees was very taxing and it cost me a fair bit of strength; I used everything I had in the second week and perhaps that’s the price I paid in the third week. It showed in the final time trial. I rode consistently and reached all the time checks well but I was just not riding as fast as the other guys. That’s the way it goes. _ “I’m cursing one Spanish rider, number 29, who brought me down by accident but, well, that’s racing and there are a few years ahead of me yet. _ “To wear the yellow jersey after such a selective week of racing was really something special and it was an experience that I think every bike rider wants to have. I’ve never worn a world championship jersey but it was quite incredible to be in yellow. It’s a good experience and I’ve learned things that will stand me in good stead for future Tours. _ “To come back and finish second and be able to hold off the rider in third… that’s something I’m happy with. And I’m pleased that I was able to continue after the crash. To come back and get yellow was a bonus. There’s always room for improvement otherwise I might have walked away feeling content with eighth place but I’ve done a lot in the last four years to improve on that result.”