All you need is a friend (In the mountains)

To win Le Tour de France, you need three things; help in climbing mountains, good time trialling ability and all round a team to protect you.

Cadel Evans is the rider who, many Australian fans could argue up until this year was always the bridesmaid, and never the bride.

Now the current champion of the Tour de France, it seems that apart from national pride and title of being a Champion of this epic race, recruiting men from other teams isn’t so hard.

Apparently money in cycling talks as does results.

In the past months the American team BMC has lured Thor Hushovd (reigning world champion), Philippe Gilbert (reigning wunderkid of the one day classics) and now confirmed another talent Tejay Van Garderen has signed onto wear the red and black next year.

Van Garderen is already showing himself to be a rising talent and with his own mountaineering skills could give (possibly) enough edge to BMC to go back to back in Tour de France titles with Cadel Evans at the helm.

However, BMC might be getting bigger names because of its outstanding result this year but that is not to say that Evans has it in the bag for next year, you could have the best team around you and still crash, still lose time and still lose the title.

However the chances of a second title and increased bragging rights for the fans do look a little brighter, so here’s hoping assistance in the big mountains can keep Cadel on top of the podium for another year.