The will he-won’t he question about Cadel Evans’ future and possible retirement appears to be heading in the direction of the Australian hanging up his wheels, with Italian newspaper La Gazzetta Dello Sport reporting that the 37 year old rider has indeed decided that 2014 will be his final full season.
According to the publication, Evans has resisted the temptation to do another year in the bunch. It states that he will instead line out in two Australian races early next year, namely the Santos Tour Down Under and then the new Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
The first of those runs from January 17 – 25, while the second will be held on the weekend of January 31 to February 1.
Evans has had a super career, winning the world road race championship in 2009, La Flèche Wallonne in 2010 and the Tour de France in 2011. He was the first Australian winner of the latter, and also took two stages.
His other career victories include Tirreno-Adriatico, the Criterium International, the Settimana Coppi e Bartali, plus two victories in both the Tour de Romandie and the Tour of Austria.
Tour victory aside, he was runner-up in the race in 2007 and 2008, plus took third in the 2009 Vuelta a España and in the 2013 Giro d’Italia.
He turned his attention to the latter race this season, riding it instead of the Tour after the BMC Racing Team decided to give its full backing to Tejay van Garderen. He appeared on course for a strong showing after winning a stage plus the overall in the Giro del Trentino, but had to be satisfied with a final Giro position of eighth. He went on to take two stages in the Tour of Utah.
His Giro ride plus a tough Vuelta were likely a factor in his decision to retire, but he will line out in one more Elite road race championships plus then do the two Australian events early next year.