Cadel Evans believes recent additions to his BMC team will play a crucial role as he bids to cement his place in cycling’s history books by defending his Tour de France crown in July.
But the yellow jersey champion admits his historic feat could pale in comparison with a longer-term challenge – that of being a father to his newly-adopted son.
“A Tour de France win only lasts until you lose one. A son you have for the rest of your life,” Evans told media in a BMC team conference from Spain late on Friday.
Evans, Australia’s first winner of cycling’s premier event, revealed barely two weeks ago that he and his Italian wife Chiara had adopted a baby boy.
Robel, who was found abandoned in a box at the side of the road as a baby, was adopted from an orphanage in Ethiopia just days after Christmas. With no brothers or sisters of his own, Evans admits he is taking to his new role tentatively, but with optimism.
Confirming he became a father “officially on 28th of December”, Evans added: “I go into it being a complete novice father — I have no brothers or sisters to learn from their children.
“It’s been a lot of fun. I can’t believe how keen I am to get home these days! But really, I’m still coming to terms with it all.”
When it comes to the Tour de France, former two-time runner-up Evans is much better versed.
While his team played a vital role last year, BMC have beefed up their squad in the wake of the formidable Schleck brothers joining RadioShack-Nissan, and with Spaniard Alberto Contador making a possible return to the race.
Andy Schleck was runner-up in the race for the third time last year and, with brother Frank also racing under Johan Bruyneel, who steered both Lance Armstrong and Contador to multiple titles, they will be among Evans’ biggest challengers.
“You can’t argue with Johan Bruyneel’s record. It’s pretty difficult to say there’s a better Tour de France (team) director than him, given the number of wins he has,” said Evans.
“That would indicate the Schleck brothers are in, if not the best hands, better hands. They’re certainly going to be a force to be reckoned with and more than likely the guys to beat in July.”
Evans might also have to contend with three-time champion Contador, whose fate following a positive doping test at the 2010 Tour de France is set to be decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) next week.
The 2012 edition of the Tour is dominated by time trials, making Evans, Contador, Britain’s Bradley Wiggins and American Levi Leipheimer the early contenders.
Evans, meanwhile, insists he will benefit from the recent addition to BMC of multi-talented Belgian Philippe Gilbert and 2010 world champion Thor Hushovd of Norway, among others.
Despite both being marquee names, Evans insisted: “You need those guys by your side. There’s been talk of too many leaders in one team but that depends on personalities and I really look forward to racing with Phil again as a team-mate.”
When it comes to the June 30-July 22 Tour, the whole BMC organisation will be expected to go beyond the call of duty for Evans.
“It’s fairly clear at the Tour what our objective is,” he said.
