Cadel Evans – “It's done and won...”

“As a young child we aspire to a lot of things in life and watching the Tour de France in 1991 and seeing [Miguel] Indurain tear everyone to pieces planted a small seed in my head that continued to grow. I went through some difficult periods – for two years I was really unlucky coming so close to winning here but maybe it’s just made it all that more special now.
“I was a bit surprised that Tina Arena came out to sing [the Australian national] anthem, that was very nice of her. I think that’s the ultimate dream of a Tour rider, to stand on the Champs-Elysées with an Australian singing the national anthem... it’s not a dream that comes true for many Australians. This win is for everyone in our country. It’s amazing.
“Things were shaping up really nicely but it’s not over until you cross the finish line. Now we have, so it’s done and won.
“It’s been years of hard work and there were a lot of moments in this three weeks where our Tour was lost but to get here safely with all my skin... just that alone is a quest in itself. But to be here wearing the yellow jersey – for my team, my country, a group of people around me... it leaves me a little lost for words.
“I think for the most part we didn’t lose it... until the time trial yesterday. It was a little bit of a different Tour de France in that there was a bit of defending from all the teams and we didn’t go on the attack until the final time trial.
“I hope I’ve brought a great deal of joy to my countrymen. It’s been a pleasure and an honor to fly the flag over here.”