Cycling highlights: Andy Schleck has shaped the Tour de France for many years. His duels with Alberto Contador are particularly memorable. But at the 2011 Tour de France he had to assert himself against Cadel Evans.
 |
 |
Andy Schleck had to risk everything
After Alberto Contador was stripped of his 2010 Tour de France victory, Andy Schleck can retrospectively call himself a winner. However, he never got to ride down the Champs-Élysées in the yellow jersey and celebrate his overall victory on the podium. Yet, in 2011, he came closer than ever. Despite being hopelessly behind, he fought his way back into contention with a daring move. Before the start of the 18th stage, nobody expected this. Andy Schleck was 2:36 behind leader Thomas Voeckler and 1:18 behind Cadel Evans. While spectators assumed the Frenchman would collapse, the Australian was considered the clear favorite. Unlike the Schleck brothers, he was regarded as a first-class time trialist. Thus, Andy Schleck had to come up with something unusual for the 18th stage. He attacked on the way to the mountain classification at the Col d'Izoard – over 50 kilometers from the finish.
Evans underestimated the full-scale attack
None of the favorites wanted to follow his early attack. The finish line was too far away and Andy Schleck was too far behind in the overall standings - especially with regard to the upcoming time trial. But the Luxembourger presented us all with his top class, as he was able to extend his lead over the mountain passes. At some point his lead was so great that Cadel Evans slowly but surely had to fear for his chances. While Frank Schleck got stuck on his rear wheel and Thomas Voeckler was already happy to be able to keep up with the best climbers, Cadel Evans now had to do all the work himself.
The 2011 tour was an emotional roller coaster ride
Andy Schleck won at the Galibier by a margin of 2:07 over brother Frank and 2:15 over Evans. Voeckler defended his yellow jersey by 15 seconds. But much more important: Andy Schleck and Cadel Evans separated by almost a minute. A day later Andy should get the yellow jersey. Finally it could work with the first real tour victory. After all, Cadel Evans once blundered a crucial time trial in the Tour de France. At that time he started the race against Carlos Sastre as a favorite and was unable to regain the yellow jersey. But this time he kept his nerve. Cadel Evans won the tour with 1:34 ahead of Andy Schleck - and he again couldn't drive over the Champs-Élysées in yellow ...
The 2011 Tour de France was filmed from the perspective of the Schleck brothers in the documentary THE ROAD UPHILL.