Pressure on for Evans and BMC

Contador's suspension ends on August 6, ruling him out of this year's Tour de France.

"In 2012, in some ways it is one less GC rider," Evans said after attending the Laureus awards in London.

"Whether that is an advantage or a disadvantage, it depends.

"Certainly at any grand tour that he lines up in, he (Contador) is normally the man to beat and that is what his record shows.

"So in that regard maybe...(it helps)."

With this year's Tour de France course favouring strong time triallists, Contador and Evans were considered the main contenders alongside the likes of Bradley Wiggins, Schleck and Denis Menchov

Evans said not having Contador around would ensure more of the focus in the peloton shifted onto his BMC team, making their task tougher.

"Sometimes it can be to your advantage to have another good, strong rider because it is also another favourite," he said.

"It is someone else that the other teams are controlling."

The Australian is wary of talk of favouritism for the Tour de France, having had to carry that burden on his way to his second-place finish in 2008.

Contador missed that race after his team Astana was kicked off the tour for lead rider Alexander Vinokourov testing positive for blood doping.

Evans said he would not be passing judgment on the merits of Contador's drugs ban.

"I don't know whether it is the right thing or the wrong thing," he said.

CAS says it will rule on a request from cycling's governing body, UCI, to fine Contador at least 2,485,000 euros ($A3.05 million) at a "later date".

The Australian said Contador, who still holds the 2007 and 2009 Tour de France titles, was well respected in cycling circles.

"On a personal level, I do not know Alberto very well," he said.

"We always say hello but because we are normally racing head to head.

"We are fierce competitors but on another level as a human being, Alberto is a simple guy.

"He has a lot of respect for his team-mates and the people around him.

"From what little I do know of him on a personal level, I like his personality and his character."