Cadel Evans enjoyed a fairly successful first half of the 2014 season after eventually overcoming lingering health issues, and even though his Giro d’Italia performance certainly has been disappointing for the ambitious Australian, reportedly he is still highly motivated ahead of upcoming objectives. However, the BMC rider’s agent suggested that no moves to other squads are considered after his current contract expires with the end of this year and it is still to be decided whether the former Tour de France winner would continue his career as a professional cyclist.
Evans’ agent Jason Bakker strongly indicated, that the 37-year old Australian is yet to sit down with BMC management to discuss his options, but it is very unlikely that any moves to other outfits would be considered.
“I think when he finishes at BMC that will be the end of his career,” Bakker told Cyclingnews.
“At the moment it’s a bit early and we’ll see how the rest of the year goes,” Bakker told Cyclingnews.
Even though falling out of the podium contention during the third week of the Giro d’Italia was certainly a blow for Evans and his BMC team after very promising performances in the beginning of the 2014 season and a victory at the Giro del Trentino, the former Tour de France winner still bounced back from more disappointing last two years, hampered by lingering health problems.
“He started well at Tour Down Under, had a good nationals as well and then won Trentino before a top 10 in the Giro. It wasn’t as high in GC as he would have liked, but he still had a strong recent period and he’s riding well.”
“Personally I can’t see him riding for another team. I think BMC is his final team. That’s my honest opinion. He has great respect for Andy Rhys and that’s mutual. I think when he finishes at BMC that will be the end of career.”
Bakker claimed, however, that Evans is still highly motivated and focused entirely on the preparations for the latter part of the 2014 season, so the decision is expected to be made much later this year, likely in the Autumn.
“A lot will depend on how he rides for the rest of the year, his motivation and his role within the team.”
“I don’t think he has a time frame on making a decision. He’s a highly motivated rider and he loves his cycling. He doesn’t do it for fame or fortune; he does it because he loves the sport. I think he’ll know when the time is right to stop but at this point I think he wants to keep on riding.”
“At this point he’d like to keep riding but it’s not just his decision. He has family considerations and there are a number of factors.”
He also admitted that some rumors about a possible move to Orica-GreenEDGE were a pure speculation, as it usually happen in regards to Australian riders, and that he no knowledge about any negotiations between the parties.
“There’s always speculation with Orica because of the Australian link and there’s very strong mutual respect between Cadel and Gerry Ryan but I think that’s just obvious speculation. He’s contracted to BMC this year so I don’t think he’s the type to talking to others. He’s getting ready for Utah, Colorado, the Vuelta and then Worlds.”
“There’s been nothing but I would assume that other teams think that he’s staying with BMC. And there’s also the fact that while he could fill a role on another team, I don’t think that’s in his mind. He’s a loyal person and has been happy at BMC since he went there. It’s not like he’s racing to get out of there and he has a number of strong and close relationships on that team."
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