Cadel lauded as an inspiration
Thousands of fans have greeted Tour de France champion Cadel Evans on his celebration ride through Melbourne.
Evans' inner-city ride down St Kilda Road was a far cry from the gruelling mountain climbs of the Alps, where he toughed it out to become the first Australian to win the race.
Evans signed autographs before he set off on a slow ride which saw him shake hands with many of the people lining the street, some of whom were wearing the daffodil yellow of the Tour de France winner's jersey.
Fan Lyn Chmielewski said Evans is an inspiration.
"I think he's put Australia on the map and I'm really proud of him actually," she said.
"[I] couldn't be prouder than if he was my own child."
Evans made his way to a packed Federation Square to thank his fans.
"This is great, fantastic, everyone's missing out on school and work, right?" he said.
"I'm very proud to be able to bring back this jersey and we can celebrate it together.
"I could say [I'm] overwhelmed, but that'd be the understatement of this month at least.
"It was great to shake everyone's hands, but the Tour is just 11 months away, I've got some work ahead.
Loading..."Thank you, each and everyone of you, thank you, thank you so, so much.
"It's an honour to be here today.
"I feel that all this time, and it hasn't always been good for me particularly in the Tour in the last six years but all that time I knew I had the nation behind me ... it's been a great ride and it's not over yet."
Evans said his life had changed since his win, but some things remain the same.
"It still hurts to ride uphill," he joked.
"I still ride every day when I have time, when I'm not on an aeroplane, but yeah, it's changed a little bit."
Evans said he felt honoured to be included among Australia's sporting greats, but felt there was still more he could do.
"For me still to become a professional cyclist and ride the Tour de France is an opportunity I don't want to take for granted while I'm still competitive," he said.
"I've got a few good years left in me yet. I'm still young at heart and that's what matters the most."
When asked if he would return for another victory celebration yesterday, he replied: "I'll do what I can."
Evans, who has a home at Barwon Heads, south of the city, ends his flying visit tomorrow, when he will return to Europe.