It’s been a mixed year for Cadel Evans, his world championship victory contrasting with a disappointing showing in the Tour de France, but the Australian is fully convinced that he can bounce back in next year’s Tour and challenge the likes of 2009 champion Alberto Contador.
“You’re always learning, I think – the day we finish learning is the day we die, right?,” he said, according to AAP. “Often the most you learn about yourself is when you’re bad, actually, they [experiences] all serve for the future. I’m 32, I think I’m in my best years now – it’s not over yet.”
Despite that Tour ride – his thirtieth place was, he says, the result of sickness – he had a good season. Evans’ results included second overall in the Dauphiné Libéré and Settimana internazionale di Coppi e Bartali plus stage wins in each event, third in the Vuelta a España, fourth in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco, fifth in La Flèche Wallonne and seventh in the Tour de Romandie. The month of July may not have worked out for him, but he was in good form for much of the rest of the year.
His world championship jersey is a big motivation for 2010, and so too his move to BMC Racing. For the first time, he will have a team completely built around him and have a big say in deciding his programme, his team-mates for the Tour and other matters.
The fact that the squad is a growing one is another big plus; they’ve got a more modest history than the other teams but are very motivated to expand, excel and succeed. That kind of positive energy is something that should help all the riders
“Up here, up in your head, that’s where a new team and a good environment helps you,” Evans said. “That’s maybe one of the biggest contributors, even more so than physique and age.”
That plus his worlds win have given his career a new lease of life. He won his third “Oppy” award as Australian Cyclist of the Year on Sunday night, but wants to earn a bigger trophy next year in France.
“At this point, (the next) three or four years, I look forward to with excitement,” he stated.