Cadel Evans finished fifth in the final race of his professional career Sunday as Gianni Meersman (Etixx-Quick Step) won the inaugural edition of the BMC Racing Team rider's own event, the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

Evans and teammate Danilo Wyss - who finished eighth - contested the sprint from a small group at the end of the 174-kilometer race that traveled through Evans's hometown of Barwon Heads. Simon Clarke (ORICA-GreenEDGE) was runner-up and Nathan Haas (Team Cannondale-Garmin) finished third. 

"I have to say - from a rider's point of view - I was very happy to make the front group today," Evans told the crowd afterwards. "It wasn't a very hilly race, but (had) windy conditions. It was a really solid, hard, aggressive race. I have to thank my competitors and also the crowd for spurring on all the competitors and for the cheering ambiance. It made it nearly a classic."