Manuel Quinziato has been one of Cadel Evans' most important domestiques. Now the Italian is waving goodbye to his captain and prepares himself to work for Tejay van Garderen in the future.

Manuel Quinziato and Cadel Evans have formed a strong pair in the grand tours, with the former being known as a loyal domestique for this Australian captain. Now Evans' decision to retire will split the pair after Quinziato accompanied the Australian during his 2011 Tour de France victory and was part of his disappointing experience at this years's Giro d'Italia.

Interviewed by La Gazzetta dello Sport , Quinziato was full of praise: "We will lose a loyal and strong rider who has been at the top for so many years. Compared to many others, Evans goes head-on when he is still at the top. He has decided to end where it all began, in his native Australia. First he will do the Tour Down Under, then the Cadel Evans Classic."

In 2015, Quinziato will probably be at the side of Tejay van Garderen who needs a rider with the class and experience of the former Liquigas rider in the Tour. "Tejay, my captain, is a great guy," Quinziato explained. "This does not make him a good captain. On the contrary. He knows how to combine aggressiveness and kindness."

Asked to comment of  the big grand tour riders, Quinziato described Nibali as "an example of calmness", Contador as "an example of professionalism", Froome as "scientific and Aru as "intelligent, respectful, conscious."

He is also full of priase of his teammate Daniel Oss. "He's a friend, a good friend, a very dear friend. And a great teammate. Winning the Worlds team time trial with him was even more beautiful."