Cadel Evans is back to his best, says Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins

BRADLEY Wiggins says Cadel Evans has hit his best form since the Australian won cycling's greatest race in 2011.

Cadel-Evans

REIGNING Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins says Cadel Evans has hit his best form since the Australian won cycling's greatest race in 2011.

Evans struggled with illness as he failed to defend his Tour crown last year, when Wiggins broke through for his greatest road win.

With a much hillier course mapped out for this year's Tour Wiggins is expected to struggle, with Evans considered a strong contender to take out his second yellow jersey.

Evans has shown strong form so far in the year's first Grand Tour, the Giro d'Italia, after the first week of racing.

BMC's Evans trails race leader Astana's Vincenzo Nibali by 29 seconds with the riders enjoying a rest day on Monday after the opening nine stages.

Wiggins said 36-year-old Evans looms as a key figure in the latter, hillier stages of the Giro.

"Cadel is the best I've seen him since he won the Tour," Wiggins said.

"He is the dangerman in that (second) position."

The Giro d'Italia resumes tonight with a tough 167km run from Cordenons, that culminates with a dreadful final climb to Altopiano del Montasio that includes a stiff 20 per cent incline.

Poor weather has dogged the riders through much of the opening week.

"Really, this race on this course in these conditions does not leave much margin for error. I think staff, riders and even the bikes are looking forward to this rest day..." Evans said on his website ahead of Tuesday's 10th stage.