Cadel Evans unfazed by lack of form after struggling through Tirreno-Adriatico

CADEL Evans has switched to "training mode" he was unable to go with the heavy hitters in this week's Tirreno-Adriatico race.

Cadel Evans

CADEL Evans has switched to "training mode" after conceding he was unable to go with the Tour de France heavy hitters in this week's Tirreno-Adriatico race in Italy.

The 2011 Tour de France champion finished seven minutes behind the leaders in a mountainous 230km Stage 5 to Chieti.

But Evans - who won Tirreno-Adriatico in 2011 - said he was not panicking about not having the legs to go with Chris Froome, Alberto Contador and Joaquim Rodriguez.

"Like 2012, I came here a long way from the level of the best guys here," Evans, 36, said.

"To be competitive on GC is beyond my capabilities right now.

"Racing is always the best training but not necessarily racing at the front every day.

"Today I had to make a decision on that, which of course is not where I'm used to being and not the ideal place to be in, but I have to stay calm and look at the situation as it is and work towards the upcoming races."

The peloton is set for a 209km stage to Porto Sant'Elpidio tonight and will finish with a 9.2km individual time trial tomorrow.

"I can't say much for the action in the front as my objectives switched to training mode midway through the race," Evans said.

"No stress, sometimes things take a while so a little patience is required."

Rodriguez leads the race by eight seconds from Bauke Mollema, Contador, Froome, Chris Horner and Mauro Santambrogio.