Australia’s Orica-GreenEdge keen to have Cadel Evans in their team

AUSTRALIA’S Tour de France winner Cadel Evans will be offered a chance to end his career with road cycling team Orica-GreenEdge.

Australia's Cadel Evans of team BMC Racing crosses the finish line during the 7th stage, a 24,5 km race against the clock from Worb to Worb, at the 78th Tour de Suisse UCI ProTour cycling race, in Worb, Switzerland, Friday, June 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Keystone,Peter Schneider)

AUSTRALIA’S Tour de France winner Cadel Evans will be offered a chance to end his career with road cycling team Orica-GreenEdge.

Northern Territory-born Evans, 37, is still undecided about whether to continue riding when his current contract with Team BMC Racing ends at the end of this season, but should he go to the market the Australian team will be first in line.

“It is certainly an appealing thought,” said GreenEdge general manager Shayne Bannan, who arrived in Leeds on Wednesday in preparation for last night’s start to the Tour de France.

“We are a team that is building and growing. Our plan is to bring along the good young riders that we have, combine it with some experience and eventually become a grand tour contender.

“There is no time-limit to that. It could be next year, two years, whatever. We are a work in progress, but Cadel certainly fits in with those plans short term.

“At the moment Cadel is contracted to a team that he has enjoyed being part of. We understand he is currently in talks with BMC about his future after this year.

“If there is a chance to have Cadel see out his career with us we would definitely be open to discussions.”

John Trevorrow, a former professional cyclist who is an advisor to GreenEdge owner Gerry Ryan, described the prospect of Evans riding for the team as “wonderful”.

“I can’t think of a better way for him to finish his career than with an Australian team,” he said.

“No one is sure what he wants to do but he’s a real fighter. He wouldn’t want to go quietly, so I think he’ll go one more year.

“He’s still capable of a Tour de France top-10 finish, don’t worry about that.”

The lure of another Tour might be the carrot Evans needs to go around one more time. Team BMC chose to contest this year’s event with 25 year-old Tejay van Garderen as their lead rider, entering Evans in the Giro d’Italia instead.

Despite leading the Giro for four days Evans finished eighth, leaving him frustrated and unwilling to discuss his future with journalists.

“My patience and tolerance are not at their greatest right now,” he said. “They are not at their optimal levels, so let’s not think about that please. All I will say is that I won’t be making any rash decisions.’’

Originally published as Australia’s Orica-GreenEdge keen to have Cadel Evans in their team