News: Evans showing form for Worlds

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Cadel Evans wins first race of the season at the Tour of Alberta when he out-sprints four breakaway companions Saturday at the end of the 169.6-kilometer race

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Evans scored the BMC Racing Team’s 29th victory of the year – and its 16th in the past six weeks – by biding his time in the sprint at the end of a cool, rainy stage. “You have to look at who’s going well,” Evans said. “I had an idea (Tom Jelte) Slagter was a pretty fast finisher but I didn’t know the Argos rider (Simon Geschke).”

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Evans sprints to his first win for 2013 in Canada. Photo: ‘PhotoSport International’

“So I had to play a bit of luck there, but mainly just patience and waiting it out until the end.” Geschke finished second and Slagter was third. Like on Friday’s stage – when Bookwalter nearly gave the BMC Racing Team a stage win in a six-up sprint – the day’s original breakaway was whittled down.

Nine riders were part of an escape that rapidly built a lead of more than 10 minutes. Geschke attacked with 50 km to go and 16 km later, only five remained in front. “It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a breakaway that’s gone to the finish,” Evans said.

“My hope was being so long away, and a little bit hilly today, that it was going to wear the other guys down. With me being a three-week rider, certainly the harder it is, the better I am in the final against the others. In the end, a bit of cold, a bit of rain, two hills, and a few rough, muddy roads worked out in the end. Most of all, it was the timing that won it for me.”

Britain’s David Millar was 75th on the stage and Raleigh’s Rob Britton, riding for Canada, 88th.

 

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