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"It would be a real shame" Gerrans doesn't want Evans to finish career as national champion

14th November, 2014
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Simon Gerrans has extra motivation to keep the national road champion’s jersey off the back of fellow Australian cycling star Cadel Evans.

While they have massive respect for each other, Gerrans said it would be a real shame if Evans took the jersey into retirement.

The men’s elite road race at the January 7-11 nationals in Ballarat will be Evans’ third-last race before ending his glittering career.

The 2011 Tour de France champion will compete at the nationals, then Adelaide’s Tour Down Under and finally the February 1 Great Ocean Rd race that is being held in his name.

Gerrans is the reigning Australian champion after beating Evans and fellow star Richie Porte in a pulsating race at the start of this year.

Next January’s edition is being billed as Gerrans and his strong Orica-GreenEDGE team versus Evans.

Gerrans was asked at Friday’s event launch that if no one from GreenEDGE could win, whether he would be happy to see Evans end his career by taking out the title.

“Do you want something controversial? – no way,” Gerrans replied.

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“It would be a real shame for someone to win the national title, get the green and gold jersey, and then retire.

“We wouldn’t see it for the next 12 months.

“The priority is obviously to get it to myself or one of my teammates but, otherwise, I think it’s great to see the Australian champion racing in Europe.”

Gerrans takes a lot of pride in riding well at the nationals, having won the race two years ago.

One of the major attractions of winning an Australian road championship is the cyclist is able to wear the green-and-gold hoops as part of their uniform in races overseas throughout the year.

“I’d love to wear this jersey for another season,” Gerrans said.

“It’s something I’m really proud of – to be the Australian champion.”

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Gerrans added the race would be much more complex than just himself against Evans.

“It’s more than just a two-rider race, for sure,” he said.

“It was a pretty hotly contested battle (this) year and it wasn’t just down to Cadel and myself.

“There are many, many guys capable of winning this national title.

“The big priority for myself and Orica-GreenEDGE is that the jersey remains in the team.”

The GreenEDGE organisation has dominated the road nationals, with Gerrans’ teammate Luke Durbridge also winning last year’s road race and time trial.

Orica-AIS rider Gracie Elvin is the two-time defending champion in the women’s road race.

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“I am going to have a bloody good crack,” Elvin said when asked if she could win three in a row.

“They are going to have to rip it (the jersey) off my back.”

Organisers have announced changes to the nationals, with the time trials to be held on a hillier course near Ballarat.

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