BMC’s Cadel Evans will begin his season at the Australian national road championships on the 12th of January. The 2011 Tour winner is rumoured to be heading into his last year in the World Tour but he is not slowing down in terms of his schedule, adding the championships to his schedule along with the Tour Down Under and the Giro.

“The nationals road race presents the first genuine racing opportunity of the year,” said Evans in a press release issued by the race organizers.” Provided my training form continues as planned and following a final consultation with my team, I’m looking forward to lining up on Sunday morning for a solid hit out against a quality field.”

If he competes, it will be the first time he has taken part I the nationals since 2005 as he usually builds his season on a strong European start before building towards his selected Grand Tours. He would be BMC’s solitary entry in a field packed with riders from ORICA-GreenEdge and Drapac. 

“It’s always going to be a challenge taking on the larger teams such as ORICA-GreenEDGE and Drapac without my BMC team mates in support. But I would expect the race to give me a good early season form guide leading into a solid block of racing over the coming months.”
 

Team Sky’s Richie Porte and Chris Sutton, ORICA-GreenEdge’s Simon Gerrans, Luke Durbridge, Matthew Goss and Matthew Hayman as well as Garmin Sharp riders Rohan Dennis, Steele von Hoff and Lachlan Morton, have all entered the race.