Defeated Evans wants another Tour title

23 Jul 2012, 7:03 am   -   Source: AAP
Australian cyclist Cadel Evans is determined to go for another Tour de France title. (AAP)

Australian cyclist Cadel Evans is determined to go for another Tour de France title. (AAP)

Cadel Evans is determined to go for another Tour de France title, despite his age.

Cadel Evans is determined to defy history and challenge for another Tour de France title.

The defending champion finished this Tour seventh after relentless pressure from Brad Wiggins' Sky team and a stomach bug that sapped Evans in the last week.

While Evans was disappointed, he remains only the third Australian to make the top 10 overall in the Tour.

Evans will be 36 next year - the same age as Belgian Firmin Lambot when he became the Tour's oldest winner in 1923.

But he came to the sport comparatively late after a strong mountain bike career.

Asked if he would return next year, Evans replied: "Absolutely, absolutely - and I think I will be a bit hungrier.

"I come back 100 per cent better than this year, that's for sure.

"I will work everything for a bigger and better Tour and I think I still have the capabilities to win."

Finishing in Paris on Sunday was a world away from last year, when Evans rode onto the Champs Elysees wearing the yellow jersey as race leader.

Tina Arena sang the national anthem as Evans made sporting history by becoming the first Australian Tour winner.

"Last year was a realisation of a career of dreams," he said.

"This year ... it's not full of disappointments, but certainly below expectations.

"Always finishing off a Tour is a satisfaction.

"Winning is a lot more fun. This sport is a lot easier when you're winning.

"When you're having a bad time ... it's the hardest sport in the world."

Evans also paid tribute to Brad Wiggins, the first British Tour winner, and his Sky teammate Chris Froome, who was second overall.

"(He is) a very well-deserved winner and this year he and Froome were clearly the best riders in the race," Evans said.

"Sky was certainly the best team."

Evans' immediate priority after the race ended on Sunday was to find his wife Chiara and son Robel.

The pair were not allowed past security, so Evans suddenly appeared from the BMC team bus and slowly rode his bike through the crowd until he found them.

Suddenly Evans was not one of the world's top cyclists, but a doting father as he hugged his playful son.

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