NT-born Tour de France champion Cadel Evans credited with sudden popularity in Italian cycling holidays
AS Aussies cheer on Cadel Evans in the Giro d’Italia, they’re already booking cycling holidays to follow his route.
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IF there’s one thing that enhances the appeal of the picturesque Italian countryside, it’s an Australian sitting at the lead of the country’s most famous bike race.
The Cadel Effect is seeing a jump in Aussie cyclists planning holidays to follow in Evans’ slipstream and explore Europe’s stunning landscapes.
It’s not the first time the Cadel Effect has lured Aussies to Europe – his Tour de France win in 2011 saw interest in cycling holidays hit a high.
And as Australians cheer on their countryman, tour agencies that specialise in cycling holidays have a special interest in seeing the star maintain his lead.
“The success of Cadel Evans in the Tour de France and now Giro d’Italia has had a very positive effect for businesses like ours,” said Kate Baker, the general manager of cycling tour agency UTracks.
“We’ve seen a direct correlation between Cadel’s performance and a surge in inquiries about our cycling trips in first France and now Italy.”
An eight-day self-guided cycling tour takes in Venice and Trieste (the Giro d’Italia finish line), as well as Slovenia and Croatia.
For more information visit utracks.com or call 1300 303 368.
Evans, 37, was born in Katherine, in the Northern Territory. The town erected a sign in his honour after his 2011 Tour de France triumph.
Originally published as NT-born Tour de France champion Cadel Evans credited with sudden popularity in Italian cycling holidays
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