ID :
202358
Fri, 08/19/2011 - 14:59
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/202358
The shortlink copeid
Cycling stars Evans and Gilbert reunite
Cadel Evans' BMC team continues to dramatically boost its roster, signing Belgian cycling star Philippe Gilbert to a three-year deal.
Gilbert has been one of the stars of this season, winning a Tour de France stage and a number of the sport's most important one-day races.
He is currently world No.2 behind Evans, who last month became the first Australian to win the Tour.
Last week, BMC also snared reigning world champion Thor Hushovd.
Evans has also committed to the team until 2014, effectively confirmed he will end his storied career with BMC.
Several of the support riders who played pivotal roles in Evans' Tour win have also re-signed.
But the signing of Gilbert is a major bonus and, along with Hushovd, he will add significant firepower to BMC for the spring classics.
Once Gilbert and Hushovd have chased their own results early in the season, their main job will be to support Evans in his Tour title defence.
Evans and Gilbert were team-mates at Omega Pharma-Lotto, which the Australian left to join BMC after his disastrous 2009 Tour de France.
There has been plenty of speculation in the last few weeks about whether Gilbert would stay at Omega Pharma-Lotto or go to another team.
"I'm happy to be back with one of my old teammates," Evans said in a statement.
"We've always remained friends, but now we get to be teammates again and that's fantastic."
Evans noted that he will probably sacrifice his own ambitions to support Gilbert at the Ardennes classics.
This year, Gilbert dominated those major one-day races, winning Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Fleche Wallonne and Amstel Gold.
"I suspect I will be a domestique in the Ardennes week, but I look forward to it and it will be a pleasure," Evans said.
When he was in Melbourne last week for his Tour de France victory parade, Evans made it clear that when it came to next year's title defence, Hushovd would have to work for him.
Gilbert said in a team statement that he will gladly help Evans defend that crown.
"I know the team well, they are well-organised, very professional and a close group," Gilbert said.
"My objectives are clear - to go for the one-day classics and then go to the Tour to learn and help Cadel.
"Next year with the start in Liege, it's close to my home, so I will try to win a stage and then help Cadel win the Tour."
Gilbert has been one of the stars of this season, winning a Tour de France stage and a number of the sport's most important one-day races.
He is currently world No.2 behind Evans, who last month became the first Australian to win the Tour.
Last week, BMC also snared reigning world champion Thor Hushovd.
Evans has also committed to the team until 2014, effectively confirmed he will end his storied career with BMC.
Several of the support riders who played pivotal roles in Evans' Tour win have also re-signed.
But the signing of Gilbert is a major bonus and, along with Hushovd, he will add significant firepower to BMC for the spring classics.
Once Gilbert and Hushovd have chased their own results early in the season, their main job will be to support Evans in his Tour title defence.
Evans and Gilbert were team-mates at Omega Pharma-Lotto, which the Australian left to join BMC after his disastrous 2009 Tour de France.
There has been plenty of speculation in the last few weeks about whether Gilbert would stay at Omega Pharma-Lotto or go to another team.
"I'm happy to be back with one of my old teammates," Evans said in a statement.
"We've always remained friends, but now we get to be teammates again and that's fantastic."
Evans noted that he will probably sacrifice his own ambitions to support Gilbert at the Ardennes classics.
This year, Gilbert dominated those major one-day races, winning Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Fleche Wallonne and Amstel Gold.
"I suspect I will be a domestique in the Ardennes week, but I look forward to it and it will be a pleasure," Evans said.
When he was in Melbourne last week for his Tour de France victory parade, Evans made it clear that when it came to next year's title defence, Hushovd would have to work for him.
Gilbert said in a team statement that he will gladly help Evans defend that crown.
"I know the team well, they are well-organised, very professional and a close group," Gilbert said.
"My objectives are clear - to go for the one-day classics and then go to the Tour to learn and help Cadel.
"Next year with the start in Liege, it's close to my home, so I will try to win a stage and then help Cadel win the Tour."
