Earlier this month Cadel Evans’ agent gave strong indication that even though the experienced Australian hasn’t made the final decision whether to continue professional career or hang up his wheels, BMC would be the last squad he raced for, and American team’s manager Jim Ochowicz confirmed his words after having initial discussions with 37-year old rider.
Ochowicz revealed that at this point of the 2014 season still several scenarios initially discussed with Evans are equally possible and the final decision will be made no sooner than during the Vuelta a Espana, as the Australian is currently focused on his race schedule while staying in North America. BMC manager also suggested that the team is still interested in keeping the 37-year old Australian in their ranks with several different roles he could play, but in the end it’s up to the former Tour de France champion.
"Cadel and I have had some preliminary discussions over what his future looks like and racing could be part of that, racing may not be part of that. It's not a definitive answer yet. He's in Utah right now and then he's doing the Tour of Spain so he's really focused on that at the moment. He knows he's doing those races and he's doing a good job so the decision on next year will be made when I see him next, probably in Spain," Ochowicz told Cyclingnews.
Besides the most obvious alternatives as extending contract with BMC for at least one season or calling it a career and retiring from cycling, Ochowicz admitted that more sophisticated options as signing a short-term deal in order to hang up wheels after competing in front of home crowd at the Tour Down Under were also discussed.
"That falls within the two or three categories. We've discussed a number of scenarios for his future and that's one of them.. Both of us have had preliminary discussions about what that might look like but nothing is definitive."
"At this point in his career, he's raced so many years so hard, this is a decision he has to make alone. Whether to retire or not is not his decision. I can't say what the answer would be. It would depend on a number of factors: what would the schedule look like, what would the price be, all of the normal negotiating topics that we go through with every rider."
"He could also have several different roles. I don't think he's going to jump in and be a sports director. I don't think that's what he wants to do. He could certainly be a consultant in terms of strategy, preparation and technical issues. He's a great ambassador for the brand so there's all kinds of things he might be able to do but again nothing is definitive yet."
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