In a beautiful celebration of athletic achievement and theatrical artistry, Australian performer Connor Delves is bringing his acclaimed one-man show CADEL: Lungs on Legs to Geelong following a triumphant sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. The performance represents far more than entertainment. It's a love letter to cycling legend Cadel Evans, the first and only Australian to win the Tour de France, and a testament to how one athlete's determination can inspire an entire generation.

Taking place on January 30 at Geelong Arts Centre, the show arrives as part of a spectacular weekend celebrating the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. What makes this performance truly extraordinary is Delves' commitment to authenticity. He performs the entire 65-minute show while pedaling 27 kilometers on the very same yellow BMC Cadel Evans SLR01 bicycle that Evans rode to victory in the 2011 Tour de France. It's a physical feat that mirrors the determination of his subject.

Delves' journey to creating this show reflects the power of following your passions. Growing up in his parents' bike shop in Perth, with professional athlete parents and a love for competition, Delves found his worlds colliding in the most beautiful way. "Cadel Evans changed my life with what he did for the sport," Delves explained. His co-writer's encouragement at an Edinburgh bar sparked an idea that would become a multi-award-winning production combining vivid storytelling with the legendary voice of Tour de France commentator Phil Liggett providing live commentary.

The show's success across the UK speaks volumes about universal stories of perseverance and triumph. Now, after 12 years away from Australian stages, Delves is bringing this powerful tribute home, and the timing couldn't be more perfect.

Why This Inspires

What makes this story truly heartwarming is Evans' own response to the tribute. Rather than simply endorsing the show, the cycling legend has embraced it with genuine humility and excitement. "It's incredibly humbling to have Connor write and produce a stage production based on my life and career," Evans shared, admitting he'll experience the play for the first time alongside the Geelong audience with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

This mutual respect between athlete and artist demonstrates how sports achievements transcend competition, becoming stories that unite and inspire communities. Delves has found a way to honor not just Evans' physical achievement but the determination, sacrifice, and spirit required to reach the pinnacle of any pursuit.

The performance represents something larger than cycling or theatre alone. It shows how one person's dream, whether winning the Tour de France or creating a one-man show, can ripple outward to inspire countless others. For young Australians watching, it's proof that homegrown heroes can conquer the world. For theatre lovers, it's an innovative blend of athleticism and storytelling. For cycling enthusiasts, it's a chance to relive one of Australia's greatest sporting moments.

As Delves prepares to pedal his way through this remarkable story on Australian soil for the first time in over a decade, Geelong will witness more than a performance. They'll experience a celebration of what's possible when passion meets perseverance.