Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) has announced that he will kick off his 2014 season at the Santos Tour Down Under, in his first appearance at his home race since 2010. The former World champion, and 2011 Tour de France winner, will be structuring his season around a bid for victory at the Giro d’Italia in May, and so he will be working towards peak form far earlier in the year.
"With my focus on the Giro d'Italia, everything comes earlier in the year," Evans said. "There is also the team's desire to get the season off to a good start. I think with a bit harder course this year, it would be realistic to go for the overall."
Despite his nationality, Evans presence has been far from regular at Australia’s biggest race, with his season generally starting in Europe later on. He last rode as the newly crowned World champion - the first ever from Australia - and is looking forward to being able to again.
"I haven't been able to race there since 2010 because I've always been working toward the Tour de France," he said. "But with me going for the Giro, it gives me the opportunity to race in Australia and the race which has become the real season start and the meeting point for the world of cycling at the beginning of the year. So it will be something special, especially racing in front of a home crowd."
With BMC Racing looking to improve on two relatively disappointing seasons, with the aim of taking 40 victories in 2014, team president and general manager Jim Ochowicz will build as strong a line up as possible around the Australian.
"We are pleased that Cadel has made the choice to help the team in the opening season's ProTour event," said. "The team we have chosen to support Cadel is one that he is very familiar with that includes riders who have helped him to past victories."