Now back in a standard BMC Racing Team jersey and adapting to life without the rainbow bands across his chest, Cadel Evans has another big goal in sight: becoming the first-ever Australian winner of the Tour of Lombardy.
The 33 year old highlighted his excellent form with a fine defence of the title he won last year in Mendrisio. He fired off several good attacks in Geelong, rode with great flair and determination, but was ultimately foiled by a course that wasn’t difficult enough to play to his strengths.
The same certainly can’t be said of his next two races, the Giro del Piemonte and the Giro di Lombardia. The first of those will be held on Thursday, while the second will take place two days later and will be the bigger target for him.
“Lombardia is one of my favorite one-day races of the year,” he said. “I have a lot of friends and family in this region so it's almost my 'home' race. For this reason, of course I want to do a good race.”
The team will field two leaders in the races although, in truth, Evans should be a step above Mauro Santambrogio when the chips go down. Still, playing two cards will make things better, tactically, as their rivals will have to be more attentive.
Directeur sportif John Lelangue is expecting big battles in both events. “We have a strong team of riders around them,” he said. “Piemonte is a difficult race, mostly because of the final climb. Lombardia is always really difficult, especially since they've added a climb in the last 40 kilometres.”
Evans played a supporting role in both races last year, helping his-then Predictor Lotto team-mate Philippe Gilbert to victory in both events. Winning Lombardy finished off an extraordinary four-race winning streak by Gilbert, who was one of Evans’ strongest rivals in the recent worlds and is certain to once again be one of the big aggressors in those races.
Last time round, Evans set the pace on the final climb in Lombardy in order to give Gilbert a springboard for his race-winning attack. This time round, he will have greater freedom, can play his own game, and this should make for an explosive finale in the last big Classic of the year.