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Tour Down Under officials try for Evans

Roar Pro
25th July, 2011
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Getting Cadel Evans back to contest the Tour Down Under could generate interest to rival that of Lance Armstrong’s appearances, says race director Mike Turtur.

Turtur said maintaining the high level of attention on the South Australian event in January was always going to a challenge following seven-time Tour de France champion Armstrong’s retirement.

But having the first Australian Tour de France champion on the start line could do the trick, at least for Australian fans.

First, however, he has to secure Evans’ agreement and Turtur vowed on Monday to do all he could to get it.

That may not be so easy if Evans doesn’t see it fitting with a schedule designed to win the Tour De France in July, as was the case this year, but he may at least consider a non-competing ambassador’s role.

Armstrong’s appearances in 2010 and 2011 provided an enormous boost for the Tour Down Under, garnering a big increase in spectator numbers from both interstate and overseas and greater media coverage worldwide.

“Armstrong maybe has more international appeal, because of his story, on and off the bike,” Turtur said.

“They’re two different people, but Cadel has won the Tour (de France) and the Australian public will acknowledge an Australian’s performance in any sport and they’ll support that person.”

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Turtur said he did not expect money to be a key factor in Evans’ decision to ride or not.

“In my experience in dealing with him, there’s never been an issue with that sort of thing,” he said.

“I think he’ll make his decisions based on his sporting performance, not financial performance.”

Tour Down Under organisers have already started negotiating with Evans’ management, hot on the heels of his historic win in Paris on Sunday.

They are also working on some other significant signings.

“Obviously, we’d love to have him racing, that goes without saying,” Turtur said of Evans.

“But to have him here also as an ambassador or in a guest capacity would be terrific too.

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“We’ve got all options open. We will do everything we can to get him here in January.”

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