Michael McCormack (Riverina, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Not since Australia II won the America's Cup in 1983 has there been so much hype and excitement over an Australian sporting win on the international stage. Many Australians all over the world sat glued to their social media outlets to track Cadel Evans on his path to Tour de France glory. As a nation we are used to winning; it is something we do very well for a country of our size. Losing generally is not an option. The Tour de France was, however, a sporting achievement yet to be accomplished by an Australian. Put on a pedestal with the likes of cricketer Sir Donald Bradman, tennis ace Evonne Goolagong Cawley and swimmer Ian Thorpe, Cadel Evans has successfully put Australians ahead of the game in yet another global sporting triumph.

Over a gruelling three weeks cycling more than 3,600 kilometres through the Pyrenees, Cadel crossed the line wearing the yellow jersey in Grenoble to become the first-ever Australian to do so. The final ride into Paris was one of excitement and joy not only for Cadel, his team and his family but also for a nation which wanted him to succeed so badly and finally fulfil his dream of winning, arguably, the world's most arduous and toughest sporting event. After being runner-up in the 2007 and 2008 editions of the Tour de France, Evans' 2011 triumph is a massive moment for the sport in Australia. The victory makes the 34 year old the oldest winner of the tour in the 88 years since Frenchman Henri Pelissier finished on top in 1923. Such has been the dominance of Europeans at the tour, Evans is only the third champion to have come from outside the continent's clutches. Paving the way for future Australian wins, Cadel has been described as the inspiration to the next generation of Australian cyclists to match his mighty feats. If it is anything to go by, Australians do not like to hand back their trophies. Once the title is in our country, we like it to stay here.

Since Cadel's win in July cycling clubs have been popping up all over the country. The love for one of the original modes of transport is taking over the streets. Many fine cyclists hail from my home town of Wagga Wagga: Paul Fellows, junior world individual bronze medallist in South Africa in 2008; Jamie Green, who won silver in the team sprint at the junior world championships in Italy in 2010, and Max Housden, the current national team sprint champion—all outstanding track riders. Road racers Josh Collingwood, Bill Robertson and Ashley Humbert will also be inspired by Cadel's feat. It will be especially significant for Collingwood, who in 1995 was junior world champion, Cadel finishing third in that particular event. For long time Wagga Wagga cycling coaches Barry O'Hagan and Bob Robertson, Cadel's win raises the profile of the sport they love and to which they have dedicated much of their spare time. The whole cycling community comes to a standstill during the staging of the Tour de France.

My electorate has its own version, the Tour de Riverina. This local race is a series of events held throughout my region bringing together some of the area's best and providing motivation and recognition for all competitors across the wonderful backdrop of the landscape that is the Riverina. Now in its ninth year, the Tour de Riverina has resulted in some exciting finishes, particularly those coincidentally in 2007 and 2008, when Cadel Evans went so close to winning the great French classic. Sport crosses all cultural, religious, age, gender and ethnic boundaries. It brings us together. Cadel Evans' Tour de France victory certainly united a nation. Well done to him.

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