His result was irrelevant but emotion ran high as Cadel Evans raced in Europe for the last time.
The greatest rider in Australian cycling history finished 25th in the Tour of Lombardy in Italy on Monday night (AEDT) as Irishman Daniel Martin won the 260km one-day classic.
While Evans had a low-key day, riding in support of BMC team-mates, the 37-year-old Australian was the centre of attention before and after the race.
The only Australian to win the Tour de France brought his son Robel to the start in Como and wrote "grazie" - thanks - on the tape that held the race radio microphone in his ear.
"I was there for Phil (Philippe Gilbert) and Samu (Sammy Sanchez) today," Evans said on his website.
"Today it was important to be there for my leaders as best I could, as a professional that's my job.
"Significantly though, today was my last big/professional race in Europe, so it had quite a few emotions attached to it - particularly that my 'little man' could come to the sign on with me and experience that, and the overwhelming compliments I received from fans, members of the press and the race organisation."
Evans' sense of humour was evident as he reflected on what it meant to race in cycling's heartland for the last time.
"I'm sure I will miss the passion that Italian racing offers," he said.
"I will definitely miss the adrenalin, but I won't miss the numerous potholes that try to throw (you) off repeatedly during a 250km-plus race like today's.
"And...despite carrying a bit of a cold, the legs are actually coming along quite well.
"I don't think my four-year-old will notice it when we ride to school together this week."
Evans confirmed last month he will soon retire, ending his outstanding career at the start of February.
He will compete in January at Adelaide's Tour Down Under and then race for the last time at the inaugural Cadel Evans Great Ocean Rd race.
After making his name as one of the world's top cross-country mountain bikers, Evans switched to road racing after the Sydney Olympics.
He was runner-up twice at the Tour de France before confirming his greatness with the 2009 world road title.
But Evans elevated himself from cycling greatness to an Australian sporting legend in 2011 when he rode superbly to win the Tour de France.
Share
