The Senate has today formally congratulated Australian cyclist Cadel Evans on winning this year’s Tour de France bike race.

The notice of motion was moved by The Nationals Senator for New South Wales and Duty Senator for New England John Williams and supported by the Minister for Sport Mark Arbib and Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi.

Senator Williams said the joint party motion was in recognition of Cadel’s courageous performance in becoming the first Australian to win the Tour de France.

It referred to Cadel’s time spent as a youngster living between Guyra and Armidale in the New England region, and his near fatal accident.

“When he was just seven, he was kicked in the head by a horse and was rushed to Armidale Hospital and then transferred to Newcastle Hospital. A delicate operation had to be performed and he was in an induced coma for seven days.

Thankfully he made a slow but full recovery.

The toughness Cadel showed to win his battle for life has been on display throughout his professional cycling career, none more evident than in the final gruelling stages of this year’s race where he clawed back a time deficit to claim victory.

Cadel Evans is an inspiration to us all”, Senator Williams said.