Evans strikes gold in World Championships

Cadel Evans, Road World Championships 2009, men's road race

Seven times a bronze or silver medallist in MTB or Under-23 World Championships events, Cadel Evans finally conquered gold just three kilometres from his adopted 'home from home' in southern Switzerland.

Watched by his wife Chiara, in his winner's press conference Evans recognised that he had sometimes been demoralised by so many second and third places in his career.

"But I've always looked ahead at the possibility of another good result further down the line," he added.

"I don't know what this will mean for my country, but I'm proud to be the first ever Australian to win an elite road race in the World Championships."

"I've been thinking about this race for two years, and after I wasn't as competitive as I wanted to be in the Tour de France this summer [finishing 30th - Ed], I refocussed on the Tour of Spain and this race today."

He recognised that Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara had played a key role in his success by toughening up the course in the final lap and a half.

"I was convinced that he would be there at the finish, I saw how he raced in Beijing [finishing third in the road-race]. I know when he's motivated he's always capable of springing surprises, and I worked that to my advantage."

Asked if this was a victory for clean cycling, Evans claimed "it's not my responsiblity to answer that."

"I'm just thinking about the fact that people keep on saying I never win anything. Well this time I've won, and this isn't a small race, either."

Road World Championships 2009: Related links

News

Brits look to learn from difficult day in Mendrisio

Kennaugh proud of gutsy fourth place performance

Pooley disappointed with ride in women's road race

Cooke to fight back in women's road race after difficulat season

Millar ready to take command of Worlds team

Kennaugh ready for under-23 road race

Wiggins accepts time trial defeat

Cancellara says TT victory was 'most beautiful ever'

Men's time trial start list

Pooley disappointed with 11th in time trial

Ellingworth explains Cavendish withdrawal from Worlds

Dowsett happy with world-class ride in under-23 TT

Manning praises Dowsett after Worlds TT ride

It's Cavendish or Stannard for final worlds place

Great Britain names world championships team

Millar won't ride worlds time trial despite Vuelta win

Wiggins quits Tour of Britain to focus on worlds TT

Out of sorts Cooke abandons Tour de l'Ardeche

Cavendish keen to ride worlds despite illness

Millar set to lead GB road race team at the Worlds

Brits head home to fight for worlds places

Reports

Evans wins World Champs road race

Kennaugh notches up fourth for GB in U23 road race

Guderzo solos to victory in women's road race

Cancellara blasts to third Worlds time trial title

Men's time trial as it happened

Armstrong repeats 2006 world champs win for USA

Under-23 Men Time Trial

Women's and under-23 men's time trials as they happened

Photos

Men's road race by Graham Watson

Men's time trial gallery by Graham Watson

Women's time trial gallery by Graham Watson

Under-23 men time trial gallery by Graham Watson

 

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