Tour de France winner Cadel Evans received a big welcome home when he returned to Australia for the first time since claiming the yellow jersey in July. Evans, who lives in Switzerland when in Europe, jetted into Melbourne with his wife Chiara Passerini where they were met by the media along with a number of the country’s leaders.
"It's always nice to come home and get a hug from your mum." Evans said.
"It was a long trip, but I’m just happy to be here and happy that everyone is so appreciative to have me home, and I've been enjoying a good July and a great Tour de France. I'm glad to be able to come home and celebrate it with everyone that's supported me for all this time."
A parade where thousands of fans are expected is being organized in his hometown of Victoria, to celebrate his feat from last month. Evans will ride his bicycle for a short while during the parade but said he is most looking forward to seeing family and friends while home.
"When you're riding the Tour de France you're pretty concentrated on each day and each race and so sometimes your forget there's 20 million people at home cheering you on, there's just so much going on in the moment.
"I'm just happy that everyone enjoyed following it and seeing it, and to come out on top finally on the Champs-Elysees was a culmination of many, many years of work from a lot of people."
After the celebrations Down Under, the BMC Racing captain’s will head off to the USA Pro Challenge in Colorado where he will race against Tour de France runners up Andy and Fränk Schleck (Leopard Trek).