The 2011 Tour de France winner last competed in the Tour Down Under in 2010, when he was the reigning world road champion and finished sixth overall. Evans said an aim to get his season off to a strong start factored into his decision to return to the race that begins with the People's Choice Classic Jan. 19 in Adelaide.

"With my focus on the Giro d'Italia, everything comes earlier in the year," he said. "There is also the team's desire to get the season off to a good start. I think with a bit harder course this year, it would be realistic to go for the overall."

Evans said he is excited to compete in the six-stage race that marks the start of the WorldTour calendar. "I haven't been able to race there since 2010 because I've always been working toward the Tour de France," he said. "But with me going for the Giro, it gives me the opportunity to race in Australia and the race which has become the real season start and the meeting point for the world of cycling at the beginning of the year. So it will be something special, especially racing in front of a home crowd."

BMC Racing Team President/General Manager Jim Ochowicz said although a roster around Evans has not been revealed, the line-up will lend strong support to last year's third-place finisher at the Giro d'Italia.

"We are pleased that Cadel has made the choice to help the team in the opening season's ProTour event," Ochowicz said. "The team we have chosen to support Cadel is one that he is very familiar with that includes riders who have helped him to past victories."

Evans has competed in eight Santos Tour Down Under races, most recently in 2010. He won the Škoda King of the Mountain jersey in 2002 and 2006 as well as the Young Rider jersey in 1999. 

Santos Tour Down Under Race Director, Mike Turtur, says it is a major coup for the event and Australian cycling fans that the 2009 World Road Champion will compete in Adelaide in January.

“This will be the first time that Australian cycling fans have seen Cadel race on home soil since his historic 2011 Tour de France win,” Mr Turtur said.

"He's one of our greatest riders of all time, our only Tour de France winner and road World Champion. I've always admired his respect and commitment to the sport and his total commitment to suffer during races."