Cadel Evans has announced that he is leaving the Silence-Lotto team. After five years with the Belgian outfit he will try to win the Tour de France, where he placed second twice, with a different outfit.
The team’s press release read that he “invoked the clause of the mutual agreement.” The statement continued that after his “recent victory in Mendrisio [to become World Champion], Cadel has decided to take advantage of his increased market value and to look for new challenges.”
Sports Manager Marc Sergeant praised the team in general and the Australian in particular. “After an incredible end of the season, with victories of Cadel Evans and Philippe Gilbert, our team ends sixth in the 2009 Pro Tour ranking. We thank Cadel for his unique contribution to this achievement, and we are confident that, with the existing and emerging talents, Omega Pharma-Lotto [the 2010 team name -ed.] will continue to experience many sportive peaks in the future. Congratulations and good luck to Cadel.”
The team was proud of Evans’ progress, “from a rough time to the absolute world top in five years time.” But there also have been times when the relationship was strained, such as his preparation for the 2009 season and whether he should ride the Giro or not.
The team now needs to fill the gap created by Evans’ leaving. “Omega Pharma-Lotto … will look for strengthening the team for the 2010 season – and certainly for 2011 – in line with the sportive and ethical ambitions of the team!”
Evans has not announced yet which team he will be riding for.