Johannesburg - Oakley, Inc. congratulated winner Cadel Evans and the other top finishers of the 2011 Tour de France, all of whom relied on the company’s performance eyewear during the grueling 3 430 km test of human endurance. Oakley riders swept the podium, garnered 14 stage victories and claimed all four classification jerseys.

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“We could not be more proud of the tremendous achievements of all the riders who put their trust and faith in Oakley innovation at this year’s Tour,” said Oakley CEO Colin Baden.

“This is a time of pride for all those at Oakley who worked so hard to achieve the breakthroughs that give athletes the ultimate in performance, and it continues a legacy that began more than 25 years ago with the first rider to win the Tour while relying on Oakley technology,” Baden concluded.

Capping one of the most dramatic races in years, Oakley’s Cadel Evans seized the yellow jersey in the penultimate stage, achieving a title he had narrowly missed for years and becoming the first Australian to claim the ultra-prestigious honor.

Brothers Andy and Frank Schleck finished second and third overall, sharing the Tour podium for the first time. Mark Cavendish earned the green jersey as leader of the points classification and tallied five stage wins. Winner of stage 12, Samuel Sanchez earned the red polka dot jersey, an honour bestowed to the best climber. Awarded to the best young rider, the white jersey was claimed by Frenchman and Alpe d’Huez stage winner Pierre Rolland.

Additional riders who took advantage of Oakley’s premium eyewear technology included Thor Hushovd (winner of stages 13 and 16) and Edvald Boasson Hagen (winner of stages 6 and 17). Of the 198 starters of the peloton, 71 depended on Oakley innovation at the 2011 Tour de France.