Evans: BMC's Tour team stronger than last year

American George Hincapie, German Marcus Burghardt, Frenchman Amael Moinard, Italian Manuel Quinziato and Swiss rider Michael Schar were all present last July as Australian Evans won the Tour.

BMC will this year boast three new recruits in Belgian Philippe Gilbert, American Tejay Van Garderen and Briton Steven Cummings, who replace American Brent Bookwalter and Swiss Steve Morabito, named as substitutes, and Italian Ivan Santaromita.

"We have just one aim: to defend Cadel's title and lead him to the podium in Paris," said John Lelangue, BMC's sporting director.

"Everyone will know clearly what he has to do over three weeks of racing."

The 35-year-old Evans added that he was confident and defending his crown after finding his form at the Criterium du Dauphine, in which he finished third overall.

"We're bringing an even stronger team to the Tour this year and the route would seem to favor me.

"But the time trials will change the dynamics of the race and some of the tactics of my rivals. But like last year, I'll go to the Tour with my own plan, to ride my own race."

Hincapie, who will be 39 on June 29 - a day before the Tour starts in Liege, Belgium, will take part in his 17th edition of the Tour de France, currently sharing the record number of participations with Dutch rider Joop Zoetemelk.

Thor Hushovd, who had been set to start the Tour when he signed on with BMC at the beginning of the year, bowed out a fortnight ago, after it was found that he had yet to fully recover from a virus.

BMC team for the Tour de France

Marcus Burghardt (GER), Steve Cummings (GBR), Cadel Evans (AUS), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), George Hincapie (USA), Amael Moinard (FRA), Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Michael Schar (SUI), Tejay van Garderen (USA)

Reserves: Brent Bookwalter (USA), Steve Morabito (SUI)