Rider News: Successful Start to season for Cadel Evans

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Former Tour de France winner Cadel Evans (BMC) second in Australia Road Race Championships

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After 18 laps and 183.6 kilometers, it was clear: the 2011 Tour de France champion is ready to begin a new successful season. In the Australian road championships, which were held on the selective course in Ballarat, the 36-year-old BMC Racing Team leader came in second behind Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEDGE) and in front of Richie Porte (Team Sky).


“When there is a jersey up for grabs like at the world championships, I’ve been second at the Tour, second at the worlds, and now second at the road national championships,” Evans said. “It’s either a jersey or nothing for me as far as I’m concerned. But I am still happy because it’s gone better than I expected, that’s for sure.”

Decision on the final lap
Right at the start of the race, an 18-man group was formed. The strongest held on until the last lap, with the impetus of the chase coming from behind with the quartet comprised of Gerrans, Cameron Meyer (both of Orica-GreenEDGE), Porte and Evans. An attack by Meyer in the last five kilometers had to be neutralized. Then Porte tried to pull away, but he also was absorbed again.

On the home stretch, Gerrans surprised everyone with the final attack. For Evans, who is participating in his first national road race championships since 2005, the result is a personal best. For the first time in his career he is standing on the podium at his national road race championships.

 

 

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