Cadel Evans of Australia...
Illustration
Cadel Evans of Australia never lost his vision; he never lost his hope; he never lost his perseverance. He finished in second place twice in the Tour de France and was positioned to win on his third try except for a bicycle accident on the course that fractured his left elbow and forced him to withdraw with tears rolling down his cheeks.
In the 2011 Tour de France, Evans was tied for first place with the Schleck brothers from Luxembourg. It would come down to a marathon clock run between the Aussie and Andy and Frank Schleck. The fastest rider would wear the coveted yellow jersey. Evans was able to outpedal his two rivals and at the age of 34 became the oldest winner of the Tour de France since before World War II. As Evans took his victory lap on Paris' Champs-Elysees, it appeared that he stopped and greeted anyone who was waving an Australian flag. Evans later said, "I hope I brought a great deal of joy to my countrymen, my country," as tears rolled down his cheeks.
Evans had been trying to be a winner since 2005 and many thought his time had passed. But the people of his homeland never lost their faith in their native son. Yes, good could come out of Australia because the people believed. It is sad that the people of Galilee lacked such a perspective. When they encountered Jesus they jeered, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Blinded by their own prejudices, they failed to see the "winner" standing among them.
In the 2011 Tour de France, Evans was tied for first place with the Schleck brothers from Luxembourg. It would come down to a marathon clock run between the Aussie and Andy and Frank Schleck. The fastest rider would wear the coveted yellow jersey. Evans was able to outpedal his two rivals and at the age of 34 became the oldest winner of the Tour de France since before World War II. As Evans took his victory lap on Paris' Champs-Elysees, it appeared that he stopped and greeted anyone who was waving an Australian flag. Evans later said, "I hope I brought a great deal of joy to my countrymen, my country," as tears rolled down his cheeks.
Evans had been trying to be a winner since 2005 and many thought his time had passed. But the people of his homeland never lost their faith in their native son. Yes, good could come out of Australia because the people believed. It is sad that the people of Galilee lacked such a perspective. When they encountered Jesus they jeered, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Blinded by their own prejudices, they failed to see the "winner" standing among them.
