In the confusion of the paddock at Misano Marittima where theItalian Bike Festival, a familiar face appears: that of Cadel Evans. THE'former Australian rider it's in the stand BMC, testing gravel bikes with the same smile as always. Evans he stopped racing in 2015 with the BMC Racing Team and remained in the Swiss brand panoramaThe opportunity to have a character of his caliber in front of us is tempting and we take advantage of it.
Cadel, what are you doing now?
I continue my work as a brand ambassador, and this experience at the Italian Bike Festival is one of my first since the Covid shutdown. I'm happy to meet so many people I've known for many years, it's nice to be here without a mask (he says laughing, ed.) doing some first bike tests is fun. I ride with old acquaintances (he passes right behind him) Alessandro ballan, another BMC ambassador, ed.).
Have you taken up gravel now?
I like it very much, Since I stopped running I've only done thatI combined my passion for off-road and the physiognomy of racing bikes.
There will also be the World Cup in October…
Yup. A really great event, It's a shame I didn't prepare myself earlier to run and try to win it. (he tells us with a mischievous smile, ed.).
How are you finding it here in Misano?
In 5 minutes I walked in and found 5 or 6 former professional riders. Even while I was parking the car, I met Bettini who recommended me a good parking place (laughs again, ed.) It's incredible because I meet people I've known since I was a junior mountain biker, It's fun to go to these international fairs and still find the same peopleLuckily, I've kept a good relationship!
Have you followed the races lately?
Yes, I still follow a lot. Of course, now I'm on the fans' side, I sometimes go out with some professionals who live near me. My race, the “Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race” starts again in January 2023 and we are working hard.
Have you seen the Tour de France?
Sure, it was very nice, I'd say exciting. We saw a bit of everything: bad luck, falls, attacks, the collapse of pogacar, who seemed to be Superman and instead was human discoveryIt was also very good for the cycling movement. vingegaard he ran very intelligently, calculating all his efforts.
Jumbo Visma has made a big step forward…
In recent years he has invested a lot and now all this has started to pay off. The moment of the handshake between him and Jonas after Pogacar's fall was also nice., a scene from ancient cycling.
Ed evenepoel at the Vuelta?
It's going really strong, it's impressiveEveryone thought he might collapse in the last week, but for now he's still holding firm (yesterday, on stage 19, the race was still in the hands of the Belgian, ed.). Even in the stage where he finished behind Meintjes, the ninth, he was impressive. Roglic was growing, but it didn't go as expected, then he had theyet another bad luckI don't know if he'll go to the World Cup, but with the legs he has I'd say he'll definitely be there (he exclaims with a half smile, ed.), I'd take him.
The World Cup will be in Australia, at your home, nice, right?
Especially for cycling in Australia, given that we haven't had any international races for two years due to Covid. I hope this can be a good way for Australian cycling to start over with continuity. and that the riders can return to my country.
Are you going to see it?
Yes, yes. I'll be leaving next Thursday and will be there the week before the race, as a spokesperson for the World Cup. I think I'll have a key role for the press, and I'm very happy to go and see it.
Hindley, also Australian, won the Giro this year…
It looked like he could win it in 2020, but then lost first place to geoghegan hart. In 2021 he had a year of bad luck and difficulties, but he has always worked to improve and this year he got his revenge.
The Bora has also grown a lot.
They've worked hard and invested just as much, and now they've changed their racing style, moving from a fast team to a climbing team. It was thought that the Australian movement could restart with conviction, but then at the Tour Haig and O'Connor they had some difficulties.
Have you seen the World Championship route?
On paper, but I would like to do a reconnaissance, it's been a year since I went cycling in the area of WollongongSeeing it on a map is different, The roads in Australia are wide, so it might turn out to be a less nervous race than expected.From what I read, many national teams are building a team that is close to the climbers.
Then there will be Van Aert...
He's a nice question mark, in the sense of form. If he's well, wins uphill, on the Champs Elysees, in short, he seems invincible.
What will the crowds and atmosphere be like at this World Cup?
Australians are eager to see this World Cup. We don't have the European cycling tradition, but we are very much looking forward to it.We're finally getting out of winter, I think the weather will be quite mild, we'll see, there's less and less time left!
