Having placed second overall in the race in 2007, 2008 and 2009, Cadel Evans will once again use the Criterium du Dauphiné as his final preparation for the Tour de France. The BMC Racing Team rider is making a big bid to finally win the Tour and has said that he will use the shorter race as a test rather than giving everything for final honours.
“Since the Tour de Romandie, I trained and rested with the Tour de France in mind because it is my big objective,” he said. Evans won Romandie, adding to his overall victory in Tirreno-Adriatico.
“I went to a training camp in altitude and checked out a few important Tour de France stages. I will check out some others after the Criterium du Dauphine. It will be an interesting race to assess my form and that of other riders who were not on the Giro. I'm not going there with great expectations. It is a test, not an objective.”
The 34 year old finished second overall in the 2007 and 2008 Tours de France, and knows that this year could be his final chance to win. Alberto Contador is almost certain to ride, despite his positive test last year for Clenbuterol, and will be the big favourite.
However Contador is attempting the Giro-Tour double for the first time and, depending on his recovery from the Italian Grand Tour, could find himself coming up short.
Whether or not that happens, Evans is determined to be in his best shape possible and to fight for yellow.
Even though the Dauphiné is not his primary goal, he’s done a reconnaissance of Sunday’s prologue at St-Jean de Maurienne, plus three others. He’s also checked out the time trial to be held next Wednesday, plus the mountain stages which will take place next weekend.
“Obviously, depending on how the race goes, I could get carried away as it happened to me in the past already,” he said, suggesting that his goal of using the Dauphiné as Tour preparation only could change. “I like this race and its mountains. But I did not check out all the stages in detail. All I know is that there are several mountain top finishes, which I will probably like.
“The most important test for me will be the Grenoble time trial because it's the same that on the Tour de France. This, I know! As for the rest, I can improvise, without any pressure.”
The lineup for the BMC Racing Team for the Tour de France will be finalised closer to the start date.