Cadel Evans moved into third place overall for the BMC Racing Team Tuesday at the Tour de France by making the front group on a treacherous ride over seven cobblestone sections.

Hincapie Punctured
Evans said the decisive selection was made on a section of pavé where teammate George Hincapie punctured. “It was probably the worst,” Evans said. “On the shoulders it was all cut up.” The world champion finished third on the stage in a six-up sprint won by Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team). “Just to get through it as a GC rider – and get through it without losing any time – was all that I wanted,” Evans said. “(They) weren’t going to let me go anywhere. I’m not quite built for the cobbles. With the wind and everything, there wasn’t any chance for any big heroics.”

Gained Precious Seconds
Evans now sits 39 seconds behind new overall leader Fabian Cancellara (Team Saxo Bank) and is a half-minute or more ahead of several of the pre-race favorites. “Twenty seconds isn’t going to mean much after the Pyrenees,” Evans said. “But a little bit is better than nothing.”