ARENBERG, France – Cadel Evans launched his 2010 yellow jersey bid in the most unlikely of places on Tuesday — on cobblestones that played havoc with Lance Armstrong’s futile bid not to lose time to key rivals.

“I’m not quite built for the cobbles, but I got through it not bad — not bad for a guy who goes uphill anyway,” the Aussie said after the punishing 213km ride from Wanze in Belgium to Arenberg.

But for Evans, it’s not an experience he would like to repeat.

“It’s ridiculous. It’s incredibly tough and tiring,” he added.

As Armstrong struggled to keep pace, losing precious time after a puncture, Evans was one of only two yellow jersey contenders, including Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck, to put time into the 38-year-old American.

Armstrong lost 50secs to reigning champion Contador to drop to 18th place at 2:30 behind new race leader Fabian Cancellara, who is not a serious challenger for the race’s top prize.

The American is also 1:01 behind Evans and 31sec behind Schleck, and with two difficult stages in the Alps just around the corner hinted that he could be forced to make amends.

“We lost significant time, so we just have to keep our head up and take our chances on the climbs,” he said.

“Our chances took a knock today, but we’re not going home. We’ll stay in the race.

While Contador finished the stage in 13th place, Evans could not have raced any better.

He took 1:13 from Contador, the man who beat him to the yellow jersey by just 23sec in 2007, and over two minutes from Armstrong.

Known primarily for the climbing and time trialling skills that also gave him a third place finish on last year’s Tour of Spain, Evans showed guts and determination on what was billed as the most treacherous stage of the Tour to finish third overall at 39secs off the yellow jersey.

No one, Armstrong included, expected riders like Evans and Contador to do so well on roads that are normally the chosen terrain for the peloton’s hard men.

“Everbody thought the climbers were going to lose minutes today, and they’re the ones at the front,” added the American.

Evans’ relief at not courting disaster was palpable.

“Just to get through it as a GC (general classification) riders, without losing any time, obviously I’m delighted. But it’s easier said than done, because I think very few GC guys got through,” said the Aussie.

“I didn’t lose any time to the favourites and maybe made some time to others.”

Contador courted disaster himself when he spent the last 30km with a buckled wheel, slowing the Spaniard down because his wheel was rubbing the brake pads, and he was just as equally relieved at the finish.

“I knew that if I changed the bike would be much worse and I preferred to continue with the wheel braking. I could not stand up, but hey, we saved the day,” he said.

Astana team manager Yvon Sanquer said: “Overall it’s a positive outcome for us. “When you look at the result, he’s taken some time except on Andy (Schleck) and Evans.

“The main thing today was not to lose too much time on his main rivals. And after three days of difficult racing, I think Alberto’s come out of it okay.”

The only bad point for Schleck was losing brother Frank, a key helper in the mountains, after he crashed a broke his collarbone in three places.

“It was a good day for me, but the The Tour is finished for him,” said Schleck.

“But it’s not the most important thing. I’m happy it’s just his collarbone that has been broken.”

Article: AFP by: Justin Davis