Evans set to announce career future

Australian Cadel Evans is set to announce his future career plans at a press conference before the 21-28 September UCI Road World Championships in Ponferrada, Spain.

Amid speculation of a retirement after a stellar career which included a victory at the 2011 Tour de France and a road world championship, Evans was already set to meet with BMC management after the Vuelta a Espana finishes in Santiago de Compostela to discuss his future with the team.

"I am wondering about that, too," Evans told VeloNews.com before the start of the stage 18 at the Vuelta a Espana. "We are going to make an announcement before the worlds."

Evans is on the Cycling Australia long list for Ponferrada and his selection to the team is expected to be announced shortly.

"I'd like to, because I want to go to the worlds fully concentrated, and have everything in my head about what's going on," said Evans.

"I want to stay focused, to have a really good finish to the season, with the worlds, and Giro di Lombardia."

Evans is off contract with BMC at the end of this season and has only announced one racing commitment for 2015, the eponymously named Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race to be held on 1 February.

Unsaid in the Ocean Road announcement is what team, if any, he would be racing for.

Evans could sign a short term contract with BMC which may take him on a farewell tour of the Australian cycling season, including the Santos Tour Down Under.

Alternatively, he could re-sign with BMC on a multi year contract and transition to a super domestique role for the remainder of his career, with a focus on single day events where he is still highly competitive.

While it remains a possibility, it appears unlikely Evans will sign a contract with a new team, though it was rumoured earlier this year that he could see out a final season in Orica-GreenEDGE colours.