Cadel Evans has returned to Australia for the launch of a major international cycling race that could be named in his honour.
Victorian Major Events has called a media conference for 9.30am on Thursday in Geelong.
There have been several media reports in the last few weeks about plans for the new one-day race, which most likely would be held in and around Geelong.
It is highly unusual for Evans to interrupt his European training schedule and return to Australia during the northern summer.
The last time he did so was for a mid-2011 parade in Melbourne to honour his historic Tour de France title.
A Fairfax Media report on Wednesday night confirmed that Evans was returning to Australia for the race announcement.
The most likely date for the new race will be either side of the January 17-25 Tour Down Under in Adelaide.
The SA Tour has top-level World Tour status, meaning it features the top teams in men’s professional road cycling.
Evans’ flying visit comes in the midst of ongoing speculation about how long he will keep competing.
The all-time cycling great is 37 and has most likely ridden his last Tour de France.
In May he led the Giro d’Italia (Tour of Italy), another three-week Grand Tour, but eventually finished eighth.
Evans has since ridden in the Tour of Switzerland and later this year he will return to the third Grand Tour, the Vuelta a Espana (Tour of Spain).
But his role at the Vuelta in the BMC team will probably be as a super domestique, or helper, rather than their leader for the race.
Evans wil also target a strong performance at the end of the European season in the world road championships.
Jono
Guest
It's official: The Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race on Feb 1. They also have a womens road race the day before, which is also a great inclusion.
Scott Pryde
Expert
That would be interesting, having a day race in Australia. Should plan to have another one in NSW on the other side of the TDU. Therefore there would be a 1 day race on either side of the TDU and it gives Australia a bit more racing which lets face it needs more racing to increase popularity in the sport in Australia.