Cadel Evans – Close To Flying
Last modified: October 3, 2010
The following synopsis is from
www.borders.com.au
Close To Flying
Cadel Evans has his sights firmly set on winning the Tour de France this July, and he would be the first Australian to do so. Physiologically he has the best numbers of any cyclist tested at the Australian Institute of Sport, the organization that is behind Australia’s super stars in international sport.
He was considered to be potentially one of the world’s best; and that’s exactly what Cadel has become. Few noticed him in his first Tour de France when in the last week he was photographed on the final climb of the stage alongside the leaders Lance Armstrong and Ivan Basso. But he was determined to succeed, and that year he finished eighth. By 2006 he was fifth overall and in 2007 he lost to Alberto Contador by a mere 23 seconds.
But who is this dedicated sportsman? And what has been his formula for success? Cadel was first noticed in 1994 when he rode to fifth position in a cross country race. Since his teens he has been a professional cyclist – half his life. He is a competitor who refuses to allow ego to dictate strategy.
Today he receives a monthly program that sets out his schedule day-by-day. It outlines in intricate detail the required elements that are to be fulfilled: how many hours, what percentage should be spent at various heart rate thresholds, specific cadences, the length of time he should be climbing, and so on. Cadel’s regime starts in November and will reach it’s end point in July. No matter what the weather the regime is followed to the letter. Everything is done with purpose even his diet. The daily routine is simple but rigid.
I thought it appropriate to review this book now as the synopsis indicates that Cadel will be starting his training for the Tour De France now. There is no doubt that cyclists require a huge amount of dedication and mental toughness to do what they do.
Cadel started as a Mountain Bike champion switched over to road bikes later having success in both forms of the sport. Like cycling for 200km, a book on this topic can quickly become boring if not told right. This speaks of his early days in Melbourne and at times goes into more detail on races that is less interesting. Overall not a bad book if you are a Cadel fan but unlike the universally inspiring story of Lance Armstrong it will not appeal to everyone.
It takes some serious dedication, just reading Lances book at the moment. Fantastic!
Andrew, Lance’s story is amazing not only for surviving cancer and winning 7 tour de france titles but for his efforts with the Livestrong foundation.