SYDNEY, Australia, July 25 – Cadel Evans’ historic Tour de France win was hailed Monday as one of Australia’s finest ever sporting achievements, ranked alongside Rod Laver’s tennis exploits and their America’s Cup yachting triumph.
The 34-year-old fulfilled his lifelong quest by securing the title, 30 years after pioneering compatriot Phil Anderson paved the way for dozens of young Australians by becoming the first non-European to pull on the yellow jersey.
“What can I say? I’ve been dreaming of winning the Tour de France for the past 20 years, ever since I was a 14-year-old,” he said, having finished runner-up twice before, in 2007 and 2008.
All the country’s major newspapers carried his victory on their front pages, with some comparing the enormity of his feat to Australia’s 1983 America’s Cup shock, which ended the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year winning streak.
The Sydney Morning Herald celebrated him conquering “one of Australian sport’s last frontiers”, with its cycling correspondent Rupert Guinness, who has covered the Tour since 1987, calling it a huge achievemen