In the first serious test of the season Evans finished 22 seconds behind solo stage winner, Joaquím Rodriguez (Katusha), and afterwards the Australian was pleased with his own performance, seeing it as the result of serious preparation during the offseason.

"I've come here with an open mind, knowing I've trained well in the offseason and leading into this," Evans said. "But it is my first race and my first real test of the year. I'd say I'm very satisfied. I couldn't have asked more from myself."
 

In the overall standings, Evans is 24 seconds behind 2012 Tour de France runner-up and new race leader Froome (SKY) who displaced Peter Sagan (Cannondale) and one second ahead of third-placed Contador (Team Saxo-Tinkoff).