BARCELONA, Spain, July 10, 2009 (AFP) - A soaked but otherwise happy Cadel Evans indicated he is ready to meet his Tour de France rivals head on when the race heads for its first summit finish in the Pyrenees on Friday.

However Australia's two-time runner-up faces a bigger test than the slippery roads which led the peloton from Girona to Barcelona on Thursday, on which compatriot Michael Rogers almost saw his Tour end prematurely.

Evans had joined the frontrunners in a thrilling, and successful, pursuit of Scot David Millar, who was caught inside two kilometres having attacked solo a three-man breakaway with 29km to race.

Surprisingly for some, Evans - who suffered a puncture early in the stage - continued his ploy of remaining at the front for most of the day in a bid to stay out of trouble.

He went on to finish ninth as Norwegian sprinter Thor Hushovd triumphed, a result which Evans said showed his form going into Friday.

"I'm not too disappointed at all with today. Normally with Hushovd and (Oscar) Freire I wouldn't have a chance but I wanted to stay near the front," said Evans.

"It showed I'm in good condition. It's promising for tomorrow. With every kilometre raced I feel my condition is good. I'm ready for Friday."

Evans' Silence team maintained their concentration to stay out of trouble on a stage that, with five small climbs, wind and slippery roads, had danger written all over it.

At the end, 21 riders had their names on the official medical list, although most will start the mammoth 224km hike from Barcelona to the Arcalis ski station in Andorra with bumps and bruises from the numerous crashes.

Rogers, riding for the Columbia team, appeared to take down Cervelo sprinter Heinrich Haussler and American David Zabriskie of Garmin as the peloton negotiated a large roundabout.

The Australian, who finished ninth overall in 2006 but had to abandon after a serious crash on the eighth stage in 2007, got up in pain although later X-rays revealed no broken bones and he is set to resume racing.

While Saxo Bank's race leader Fabian Cancellara hinted that he could try and defend his lead for another day, meaning a tough day in the saddle for Aussie teammate Stuart O'Grady, most expect Astana to take hold of the yellow jersey.

Whether seven-time Lance Armstrong, who is only 0.22 seconds adrift of Cancellara, or his Spanish teammate Alberto Contador, the 2007 champion who is at 19 seconds,takes over it should be a thrilling day of racing.

Earlier Thursday Silence team manager Hendrik Redant repeated Rogers' earlier predictions when he said the likes of defending champion Carlos Sastre, Russian Denis Menchov, and of course Evans, would have to "take their opportunities" in the Pyrenees.

And the Belgian added they would especially be on the look-out for convenient alliances that, if they appear, could help put the dominant Astana team on the back foot.

"I think Astana will control the race for most of the day so the only chances could come in the final seven or eight kilometres (to Arcalis).

"That's when you could see some collaboration between some guys who have got the same goal, and that could leave Astana isolated. No one, I think, is going to collaborate with Astana.

"The riders have to watch what is happening during the race for themselves and then decide whether to collaborate or not."

Hopefully, for Silence, Evans can give his team a boost after questions were raised following a disappointing fourth stage time trial.

"Everyone says our team is not strong enough," said the Belgian.

"But I believe our guys will give Cadel the backing he needs. For us, the Tour will only be over when it reaches Paris."