“I didn’t have the smoothest off-season like I did last year, so there was always the risk that I wasn’t going to be at the level I was last year.” — Cadel Evans.
The Austrailan cited his numerous commitments and distractions stemming from his historic win in the 2011 Tour de France. However, we suspect the bumpy off-season has just as much to do with the new arrival chez Evans.
That would be adopting a 12 month old baby boy from Ethiopia. So imagine you’re Mr. Yellow Jersey at home in the off-season and you’re about to go out to train on the bike. The bumps go something like this:
“Uhh, honey, can you change Robel’s diaper and then take him out in the stroller for a while?”
“Cadel, sweetie, I have to run to the gym, can you stay with Robel this morning?Love you, gotta run.”
“I’m really sorry, I know you wanted to train but I have a piano recital and Robel’s sick. Can you spend the day with him?”
“Oh my goodness. Cadel, you look terrible. I guess you caught Robel’s cold. Don’t worry about missing a few days of training, honey. I know you can beat that skinny man Wiggins.”
“Cadel, do you have to train today? I thought the three of us could spend the day together. We’re a family now, you know.”
“I’m sorry Robel isn’t sleeping through the night. Things will get better. Why don’t you skip your ride and take a nap today?”
“I know the training camp is important but Robel needs his daddy. Couldn’t you just do a few hours on the rollers in the garage?”
My mom is really sick. I’ll just be gone a few days. You and Robel will be fine. There’s plenty of food and diaper wipes. You can ride when I get back, okay?”
“This Tirreno race — is that one important? I was thinking we could take a long weekend, just you, me and the baby.”
Now this is all speculation on the part of Twisted Spoke. Because there’s a high probability that being rich and famous, child care is something called a nanny. Still, it’s been a crazy off-season for Evans and it wasn’t all post-Tour distractions.
There was this one big obligation called parenthood.
Which goes to show his humanity vs some others that treat this like a pissing contest (who can win more times) he won once
I have to agree 100% with twisted spoke. I once had a chance to make the national team in biathlon, then got me a wife with her child and then my own child put the skids on biathlon. Last year was the 1st year TDF was in the books in Las Vegas. I picked Cadel to win but didn't bet, he won't even make the top ten this year.
Hey cool I didn't know you could place a bet in Vegas on the Tour. I have to do that. You could have scored. Matt
@Theoldmtneer I would have to disagree with the chance that you are giving him to have a strong placing. Mainly there's only a few summit finishes and I think Cadel can limit his losses there and as we know there's over 100KM of TT which I think of all GC riders he excels in that discipline and will maximize his opportunity. So while maybe not winning, I would expect to see him on the podium.
It could be a crazy race — I think RadioShack and Bruyneel are gonna shake things up right from the gun. They have to put pressure on immediately so things could get exciting fast. Matt