Another first in the sporting world

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

THERE’S always a first time.

Yes, all of us had experienced different first times in our life. This is undeniable and indisputable. It continues to happen no matter at what stage in life we are in. And it’s happening too in the world of sports. One of the biggest “firsts” of this generation is our very own Manny Pacquiao, the world-boxing icon who has won eight world titles in eight different divisions.
He’s the only pugilist in the universe who has accomplished this feat since the birth of boxing. And there’s Lance Armstrong, the only cyclist to win the Tour de France (TdF) for seven consecutive times. You’ve also heard the name Michael Phelps, the only swimmer who has won eight gold medals in the Olympic Games. They’re all for the books ‘ika nga.

Another “first time” was achieved again recently in the sporting world. This was in the 2011 Tour de France that just concluded last July 24. Two first times were established in the history of TdF – one that an Australian named Cadel Evans wrested the crown this year against the best professional riders in the world, and the other, Briton Mark Cavendish winning the ‘sprint king’ title, the first English guy to do so since the birth in 1903 of this world’s most prestigious bicycle road race. Evans, according to records, is also only the third non-European cyclist to win the TdF tiara, next to Greg Lemond and Armstrong, both Americans. The annual 21-day road saga has been traditionally dominated by the Europeans like five-time winners Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault of France, Eddy Merckx of Belgium and Miguel Indurain of Spain, to name a few.

After finishing second twice in the TdF to three-time champion Alberto Contador in 2007 and to Carlos Sastre in 2008, both Spanish, Evans captured the World Road Race Cycling Championship in 2009 and sports connoisseurs started to believe that he’s a potential TdF winner. But he was dislodged from the second position by Luxembourg City-born Andy Schleck twice, 2009 and 2010, which was both won by Contador. Pundits this year did not give him much weight due to these two consecutive debacles. Further, Schleck, 25, is on the rise and Contador, 28, is still the man to beat, they said.

But the aging Katherine-native Evans, 34, proved them wrong, surprising everybody, including me. Trailing yellow jersey wearer (overall leader) Schleck by 57 seconds in the 20th lap, Evans beat the pride of Luxemburg badly in the penultimate 42.5-kilometer stage by more than two minutes and eventually emerged as the champion with 1 minute 34 seconds ahead of Schleck. Schleck’s older brother Frank came in strong third overall, the first time that the brothers stood at the podium together. Defending titlist Contador plunged to fifth in the general classification. No viva Espana this time, unlike in the last two years.

Evans’ triumph put Australia in the map of the cycling world. Evans could be the Aussies’ new sports hero, maybe next to Rod Laver, the professional tennis player who shook the world by winning four grand slams in one year, 1969, including the Australian, French, U.S. and Wimbledon Opens. Yes, there were other prominent riders from Australia who have participated in the TdF. The best finisher before Schleck was Phil Anderson, placing fifth in 1982 and who became the first Aussie and first non-European to wear the coveted yellow jersey, the symbol of overall leadership. The others were sprinters Robbie McEwen, Bradley MaGee, Braden Cooke and Stuart O’Grady.

“The Schleck brothers are still young and are potential champions, too,” said Johnny Valenica, a cycling fanatic and the election officer of my town Mangaldan. “They got the mountain climbing prowess but poor in ‘race against the clock.’ They have to fix that weak point to attain their goals. If not, they will just be good for runners-up,” Valencia added.

I agree with him. This is our game.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love and holiness, with self-control. 1TIMOTHY 2: 11-15

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