Cadel quits Silence-Lotto

[Ross]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/evans-to-leave-silence-lotto

Mutual agreement with the team frees up World Champion

World Champion Cadel Evans has decided to leave his Silence-Lotto squad to seek another team. The Australian negotiated his departure through a mutual agreement with his team.

After five years with the team in which he scored two podium places in the Tour de France and the recent world title in Mendrisio, Evans has chosen to take advantage of his increased market value "to look for new challenges" his team announced Saturday.

"Silence-Lotto is proud of the progress Cadel made in our team - from a rough time to the absolute world top in five years time, also thanks to the professional entourage and the good teamwork - and wishes him all the best for his further career."

"It is part of the game, that once the summit is reached, the cyclists sometimes decide to explore other horizons. Though this is never pleasant for our team, it demonstrates the success of our project, and it opens perspectives for the many talented cyclists who are bursting with impatience, ready to discover their limits and to take over the torch."

Evans had been critical of his team's support during his two failed attempts to attain the overall victory in the Tour de France, but after winning this year's world championships, he seemed to commit himself totally to the service of his teammate Philippe Gilbert, helping him to four victories in a row including the Giro di Lombardia.

[Chris]

About time. Lets hope he chooses a better team this time around.

[SimonD]

Everyone knows that Silence Lotto, or whatever drug they are named after next year, are going to win le Tour 2010 with Jurgen van den Broeck.

Rumours say the new Sky team.

[bosworth*]

Kano will advise the Immigration minister to revoke We Love Cadel's citizenship if he joins Radioshack.

[Bean]

Rumours say the new Sky team.

Will they give him top billing???

[SimonD]

BMC???? Wow. They're not even a ProTour team!

[bosworth*]

At least it's not Discovery/postal/astana/radioshack.


And we all breathe a sigh of relief.

[Bean]

Out of the horses mouth on the news today, yes it's BMC. Nothing on their website though.

[mikeyc]

Cool, maybe this time he'll find a team than he can lead properly? Team or no team the guy will still needs to learn how to be a leader. Getting a little tired of watching/hearing him winge about team cr@p.

[dadcram]

George needs a good domestique!

[Sam]

From the BMC site:

http://www.bmcracingteam.com/index.php?id=9&L=0&uid=333

BMC Racing Team Signs the Current World Champion Cadel Evans

The BMC Racing Team today announced the signing of current World Professional Road Champion Cadel Evans to a three year contract. This partnership will create mutually beneficial opportunities for both the current World Champion as well as the BMC Racing Team.

“Cadel brings a wealth of experience in the Grand Tours to the team.” BMC Racing Team co-owner Jim Ochowicz stated. “As I said earlier, our team will have multiple chances to measure ourselves against the greatest teams in the world. We are pleased that we will have the opportunities to send out our most successful riders, now including Cadel Evans, to tackle these challenges," Jim Ochowicz added. Cadel Evans compliments the current team roster that consists of seasoned professionals and young emerging talents.

Winning a Grand Tour
Cadel Evans took second place in both the 2007 and 2008 Tours de France. Now Cadel Evans wants to win a Grand Tour. “Cadel Evans heard about how our team was expanding by signing big-name riders like George Hincapie, Alessandro Ballan, Marcus Burghardt, Karsten Kroon and other strong racers, and this news immediately fired him up with the idea of riding for such a flexible, engaged and passionate team,” explained BMC Bicycles owner and BMC Racing Team co-owner Andy Rihs. The thirty-two year old Australian cyclist who lives in Switzerland is looking forward to building a newly fortified program with the BMC Racing Team. Cadel Evans believes the BMC Racing Team will help him accomplish his goal of winning a Grand Tour.

A great opportunity
The signing of Cadel Evans is not only an enormous chance for the BMC Racing Team but is also a great move for the current World Champion. “A great opportunity has come for me to join a growing team of like minded individuals at BMC. I look forward to working with the BMC group toward the same goals including the Tour de France. I see the BMC Racing Team as a growing but very well structured and organized Team”, an enthusiastic Evans said about his new employer. “Obviously, I would like to do better than my two second places at the Tour de France”. For Director Sportif John Lelangue, it is clear that the team is now established in a way that they will be able to be competitive in every major race of the season. “We have a plan to go to the biggest races, including the Grand Tours. That includes the Tour de France," he said. "This will be possible since our sporting level has greatly increased in standard.”

Huge motivation
For BMC, as a manufacturer of high-end bicycles, this surprise signing is a huge step forward. “We want to increase BMC awareness, popularity and sales worldwide. By signing Cadel Evans, we have laid the groundwork to promote the brand not only in Australia but around the world. We have now put our cards on the table and hope to be on the start line in the 2010 Tour de France,” according to Andy Rihs. “The current World Champion, Cadel Evans, as a BMC Racing Team member, will be giving his input into the advancements of our high-end product range which is an enormous opportunity for the company since for the best riders, only the best equipment is good enough,” stated Mike Hürlimann, BMC CEO. “Having a rider like Cadel under contract will be a huge motivation for us. We will enthusiastically aspire to stay true to our traditionally cutting edge innovations and work daily to make the BMC brand as good as it can be. ”

[SimonD]

George needs a good domestique!

Maybe he's got one. Evans was a pretty decent domestique for Gilbert in the one day races.