Evans hopes for Tour chance

Evans: Hoping for tour chance

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Cadel Evans' chances of being involved in the Tour de France in 2010 remain uncertain after his move to BMC Racing Team.

Evans abandoned his previous team Silence Lotto as he attempted to strengthen his bid for a maiden victory in the prestigious race.

Despite boasting a number of talented riders, BMC are a Continental team (second division) and race organiser ASO are more concerned with elite ProTour outfits when they list their invitees.

However, the American outfit are hoping the addition of Evans, former world champion Alessandro Ballan and former Lance Armstrong lieutenant George Hincapie will be enough to earn them an invitation.

"We have a plan to go to the biggest races, including the Grand Tours," said BMC manager John Lelangue.

Improved standard

"That includes the Tour de France. This will be possible since our sporting level has greatly improved in standard."

Sixteen teams are already certainties for next year's Tour, in which 20 usually participate with a further two allowed if the maximum number is reached.

Four teams - Sky, RadioShack, Garmin and Katusha will be at the prologue in Rotterdam in July, with all having ProTour status and already proving they can compete in a three-week event.

Former champion Carlos Sastre's team, Cervelo, is almost guaranteed to take part, leaving three teams competing for the one remaining spot.

French outfit Saur Sojasun and Dutch team Vacansoleil are the competition for BMC, while the American team could be hindered by manager Lelangue's patchy history with tour organisers.

Controversial

The Belgian was Phonak team manager when Floyd Landis won the Tour in 2006, only for the American to lose the title after testing positive for testosterone.

The Phonak team separated before coming back as BMC in 2007, with the same owner, Andy Rihs, and Lelangue as manager.

Evans says he is not looking back at the team's controversial past and the twice Tour de France runner-up insists he has joined an outfit with huge potential.

"Rihs comes back with another team and another project with the same goal after that experience shows his enthusiasm and passion for the sport," Evans told cyclingnew.com.

"He also comes back very carefully and guarded."