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With his self-confidence at a high and luck finally on his side, Australia's Cadel Evans could achieve something special this year in the Tour de France. The two-time runner-up was third in the overall standings enterng the 10th stage Tuesday, the best placing among the favorites, after surviving a crash-marred week that saw several contenders bow out. The BMC team leader finished behind Alberto Contador in 2007 and Carlos Sastre in 2008. Last year, Evans wore the yellow jersey but broke his left elbow and settled for a 26th-place finish on the Champs Elysees. Regarded as an underachiever until he become world champion in 2009, Evans is stronger this year. A helicopter of the French TV hovers over the pack with Thor Hushovd of Norway, wearing the overall leader's yellow jersey, center, during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 172.5 kilometers (107.2 miles) starting in Lorient and finishing in Mur de Bretagne, Brittany, western France, Tuesday July 5, 2011. Frederik Willems of Belgium, left, and David Zabriskie of the US, right, are being treated by Tour de France doctors after crashing during the 9th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 208 kilometers (129 miles) starting in Issoire and finishing in Saint Flour, central France, Sunday July 10, 2011. The peloton is reflected in Allagnon river near the village of Lempdes sur Allagnon as they ride during the 9th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 208 kilometers (129 miles) starting in Issoire and finishing in Saint Flour, central France, Sunday July 10, 2011.
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