Cadel Evans will be assisted by Philippe Gilbert at the Tour de France 2012
The two top cyclists present in the sport today will be riding alongside each other in the coming season. Winner of the Tour de France 2011, Cadel Evans, will be joined by Philippe Gilbert in the next season, representing Team BMC.
Gilbert is currently the top ranked cyclist as per the UCI individual rankings of 2011 as he scored 698 points in the current season.
The cyclist could not refuse the multi-million Euro offer presented to him by the U.S. based team, BMC. He will remain with the team till 2014 and has joined Cadel Evans and Thor Hushovd for the coming season.
The Belgian will be seen in a supporting role at the Tour de France 2012 as he will assist the former Tour de France Champion in the race.
It was decided that Cadel Evans will lead Team BMC at the French Grand tour whereas Philippe will take on the London Olympics 2012.
Cadel Evans is at second position with 124 points behind the Belgian and is believed to be a favourite to win the Tour de France 2012.
This is not the first time that the two riders will be racing in the same team as they were together in Team Silence-Lotto earlier on.
Gilbert supported Evans at the Vuelta a Espana 2009 as Evans was practicing for the World Championships in Mendrisio.
Gilbert believed that supporting Cadel Evans at the race will not affect his Olympics preparations.
He stated, “I think that in general the riders who are at the Tour de France will have an advantage for the Olympics, so it’s definitely a good thing to ride the Tour”.
Gilbert mentioned that Evans will not only have his support but the whole team will be backing him up at the event. He said, “If Evans were in yellow after the prologue, for instance, then the whole team would ride for him”.
He added, “I’m at BMC to win the classics and help Cadel Evans at the Tour de France. That’s what I was signed for, and that’s what I want to do too”.
He further commented on the upcoming Olympics, “The Olympics are something very different, but it will still be a good approach”.
It will be interesting to see if Cadel Evans can repeat his impressive performance as all eyes are on the Australian to dominate the most prestigious cycling event. On the other hand, Philippe Gilbert is warming up to continue the new season with his marvelous
winning streak.
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