If history is anything to go by, Cadel Evans should be looking to win his second stage win of the Tour de France if he wants to bag the elusive yellow jersey.
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Francaise des Jeux rider Jeremy Roy of France celebrates on the podium with the climber\'s jersey after the 13th stage of the Tour de France 2011 cycling race from Pau to Lourdes July 15, 2011. |
Stage 14, the third and last day in the Pyrenees, finishes with the gruelling 15.8 km ascent to Plateau de Beille.
The climb has featured four previous times on the race, and each time the stage winner has gone on to win the yellow jersey -- Marco Pantani in 1998, Lance Armstrong in 2002 and 2004 and Contador in 2007.
Australian Evans, a runner-up in 2007 and 2008, is arguably in the best form of his career on the race where he has finished beyond 20th place overall the past two years.
Heading into Saturday\'s 168.5 km stage, which features a total of six climbs, the BMC team leader sits third overall 2min 06sec behind Thomas Voeckler of France and only 17sec behind Luxembourg\'s Frank Schleck.
Evans also has an 11-sec advantage on Andy Schleck, the man who has finished runner-up to Spain\'s Alberto Contador the past two years, and a massive 1:54 lead on Contador.
Having beaten Contador to victory at Mur de Bretagne on stage four, the Australian is not making any predictions about Saturday -- especially given the stage\'s difficulty and it\'s historical significance.
"It\'s a long climb," Evans said of Plateau de Beille. "It\'s going to be a pretty important day for sure. One of the key important days, as well as a couple of others in the Alps."
Evans finished with the main group of favourites alongside Europcar leader Voeckler on Friday over seven minutes behind Norwegian Thor Hushovd, who took his ninth career stage win after a daring descent of the Col d\'Aubisque.
Contador, the Schlecks and two other yellow jersey strongmen -- Italians Ivan Basso and Damiano Cunego -- all finished in the main peloton.
The Spaniard has been suffering from a knee injury in recent days, and despite losing more time on the climb to Luz Ardiden on Thursday he claims to be on his way back to full health.
"At the beginning of the stage it (knee) bothered me a little but at the end of the day there was no problems. Hopefully, tomorrow I will be in perfect condition," said Contador.
"I believe tomorrow\' stage may be perfect for taking time if I\'m okay.
"Plateau de Beille is such a hard climb. I clearly remember the climb from 2007. But the stage is not only the final climb. From the beginning of the stage there are mountains so I will have to see how I feel."
While the Schlecks believe it is up to Contador to attack if he wants to close his deficit, the Spaniard added: "The Schleck brothers have to attack.
"Their situation is quite complicated because yesterday (Thursday) they wasted a chance to drop a rider like Evans.
"(He is) a very solid rider, very strong in the mountains and on the time trial. No doubt they will have to move again."
Another three brutal mountain stages begin in the Alps on stage 17, prompting Andy Schleck to play down the historical significance of Plateau de Beille.
"We\'re looking forward to tomorrow, of course, but we don\'t expect the Tour to be decided here," he said. "Every race has to be ridden."
But he warned: "We\'re all good for tomorrow. Our legs feel good. Yesterday was the first act in the Pyrenees. We\'re eager for act two."
Contador meanwhile hinted that if he feels good, the incisive attacks that have become his trademark during his past six Grand Tour triumphs could make a reappearance.
"It depends of how the legs go but do not rule out the possibility of an attack," he said. "I have to see my rivals out but if I see the opportunity I will move for sure."