Cadel Evans. The only lion that matters.

There is only one lion on the dash on the BMC team bus and it's also the ultimate lion, the lion d'authorite, the one lion that matters in France, in Paris, on the final day of the 2011 Tour de France.

The winning lion.

It's the Credit Lyonnais lion that Cadel won for taking over the yellow jersey thanks to his masterful ride in the time trial. He took second place behind HTC-Highroad clock specialists Tony Martin but that hardly mattered.

It was the day and the bear when he won the Tour de France after years of bad luck, injuries, weak supporting casts and an unbeatable Alberto Contador.

That is all over now and that lion is one beautiful, iconic, stuffed creature. Cadel Evans may not stick that lion on his fireplace mantle -- if he has one -- but he will always look at the silly lion and remember the most important day in his cycling career.

The day he won la Grand Boucle, the Tour de France, the crowning achievement in the sport of cycling.

Walk by the Europcar team bus and there are ten lions on the dash. That pack of lions isn't worth jack compared to the big one on the BMC dash.

The lion that won belongs to Cadel Evans.