Published December 3, 2013 08:55AM
Evans to make 2014 debut at Tour Down Under for Giro prep
Evans has not raced at the UCI WorldTour opener since 2010
Cadel Evans (right) will focus on the Giro d'Italia next season. Photo: Graham Watson | <a id="www.grahamwatson.com" href="http://grahamwatson.com">www.grahamwatson.com</a>
Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) will debut what will be a different kind of season in 2014 at the Santos Tour Down Under (January 19-26).
Evans is throwing his ambitions behind a strong run at the Giro d’Italia in May, meaning that the UCI WorldTour opener will be more than just a way to stretch his legs in front of home crowds.
“Cadel has his sights set on victory at the Giro d’Italia in 2014 and will be keen to start the season well and build towards this goal,” race director Mike Turtur said in a press release. “I’m sure we will see strong performances from all of the BMC Racing Team riders competing, plus plenty of passion from fans excited to have Cadel Evans back racing on home soil.”
Evans hasn’t raced in the Tour Down Under since debuting his rainbow jersey in 2010.
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After riding to third in the 2013 Giro and struggling through the Tour de France to finish 39th overall, the 2011 Tour champ is recalibrating his 2014 objectives, putting the Giro front and center, and leaving the Tour captaincy in the hands of Tejay Van Garderen.
Joining Evans in Australia will be Brent Bookwalter and Rick Zabel, the son of German sprinter Erik Zabel, who will be making his WorldTour debut.