Cadel Evans was left ruing one lousy second, but now knows for sure that two frustrating years are well behind him.
The Tour de France champion starred in this year’s Tour Down Under, finishing second to fellow Australian Simon Gerrans by that single second.
Immediately after Sunday’s finish, the 36-year-old indicated he could return to the race next year for the 10th time.
Finishing runner-up was Evans’ best performance at the Adelaide Tour.
Combined with his second placing behind Gerrans on January 12 at the road nationals, it also proves conclusively he is over the ill health and inconsistency that plagued him since winning the 2011 Tour de France.
His outstanding solo ride on the Corkscrew Rd climb and descent to win stage three is probably the greatest individual ride in Tour Down Under history.
“If Adelaide will have me back, don’t be so sure this will be my last Tour Down Under,” Evans said.
“We are all getting older, but I don’t think I am too old just yet to race and be competitive.
“It was a different Tour Down Under than any I have ridden before, and that showed in the performance I could do.
“To be second by one second is not such a bad performance.”
Gerrans and Orica-GreenEDGE showed up Evans and his BMC team in Saturday’s fifth stage.
Gerrans overturned Evans’ seven-second lead on the Willunga climb to take the lead.
But it could benefit Evans and BMC in May at the Giro d’Italia, his major goal for the season.
BMC brought out the basis of their Giro team to the Tour Down Under and the hard lessons from Saturday will not go astray in four months’ time.
More than anything, Evans was proud to be part of the most successful race in Tour history.
With all due respect to Gerrans, Evans was definitely the most popular rider at this Tour.
“The racing was fantastic and the fans really make this race,” Evans said.
“They make the ambience.
“I am so so pleased and proud of us as a country and as a cycling nation, but also a sporting nation, to see this event and what the ambience makes of it.”
The Roar and Skoda teamed up to provide an insight into what life is like for a Tour Down Under rider. Click here to watch the video.
Fancy a wager on your favourite sport? Head on over to PlayUp for great odds and friendly customer service and pick a winner. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Australia's Jai Hindley has said he is "lost for words" after a shock stage victory at the Tour de France earned him the leader's…
Australia's Jai Hindley has said he is "lost for words" after a shock stage victory at the Tour de France earned him the leader's…
Tadej Pogacar has won a drama-packed Tour of Flanders, winning in a breakaway with Matieu van der Poel second, Mads Pedersen third and Wout…
Women are not allowed to compete in the Tour de France. However you choose to re-read that sentence, the fact remains: the most famous…
The jam-packed month-by-month quiz full of 2022 sports trivia!
Australian Grace Brown has won silver in the women's time trial, the first event at the world road cycling championships.
