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Evans reveals good form with aggresive riding into Barcelona

By Justin Davis- AFP
Published: Jul. 9, 2009

A soaked but otherwise happy Cadel Evans indicated he is ready to meet his Tour de France rivals head on when the race heads for its first summit finish in the Pyrenees on Friday.

However Australia's two-time runner-up faces a bigger test than the slippery roads which led the peloton from Girona to Barcelona on Thursday, on which compatriot Michael Rogers almost saw his Tour end prematurely.

Evans had joined the frontrunners in pursuit of Garmin-Slipstream's David Millar, who was caught inside two kilometers, having attacked solo a three-man breakaway with 29km to race.

Surprisingly for some, Evans - who suffered a puncture early in the stage - continued at the front for most of the day in a bid to stay out of trouble.

He went on to finish ninth as Cervelo's Thor Hushovd triumphed, a result that Evans said showed his form going into Friday.

"I'm not too disappointed at all with today. Normally with Hushovd and (Rababank's Oscar) Freire, I wouldn't have a chance, but I wanted to stay near the front," said Evans.

"It showed I'm in good condition. It's promising for tomorrow. With every kilometer raced, I feel my condition is good. I'm ready for Friday."

Evans' Silence-Lotto teammates maintained their concentration to stay out of trouble on a stage that, with five small climbs, wind and slippery roads, had danger written all over it.

Earlier Thursday Silence-Lotto team manager Hendrik Redant said defending champion Carlos Sastre, Russian Denis Menchov, and of course Evans, would have to "take their opportunities" in the Pyrenees.

And the Belgian added they would especially be on the look-out for convenient alliances that, if they appear, could help put the dominant Astana team on the back foot.

"I think Astana will control the race for most of the day so the only chances could come in the final seven or eight kilometres (to Arcalis).

"That's when you could see some collaboration between some guys who have got the same goal, and that could leave Astana isolated. No one, I think, is going to collaborate with Astana.

"The riders have to watch what is happening during the race for themselves and then decide whether to collaborate or not."

"Everyone says our team is not strong enough," said the Redant. "But I believe our guys will give Cadel the backing he needs. For us, the Tour will only be over when it reaches Paris."