Cadel Evans to ride the 2014 Tour Down Under as part of Giro d'Italia preparations
Australia's 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans is a confirmed starter for the Tour Down Under in Adelaide in January.
It will be his first appearance at the race since 2010 and will kick off his preparations for the year ahead that will see him by-pass the Tour de France.
Evans will instead concentrate his efforts on the Giro d'Italia.
"With my focus on the Giro d'Italia, everything comes earlier in the year," Evans said in a statement.
"There is also the team's desire to get the season off to a good start.
"I think with a bit harder course this year, it would be realistic to go for the overall.
"So it will be something special, especially racing in front of a home crowd."
Evans has ridden the Tour Down Under eight times, winning the king of the mountains titles in 2002 and 2006 as well as the best young rider jersey in 1999.
Race director Mike Turtur says it is a major coup securing Evans for 2014.
"This will be the first time that Australian cycling fans have seen Cadel race on home soil since his historic 2011 Tour de France win," he said.
AAP