Former World Champion and 2011 Tour de France winner Cadel Evans believes Chris Froome can successfully defend his Tour title next year.
Speaking to Fox Sports in Australia, Evans talked about the British rider’s chances of taking his third Tour win in four years.
“For him I think it’s possible,” he said. “He’ll be the only rider in this era who’ll be able to go back-to-back, barring illness and injury.”
Injury, of course, is the reason Froome did not defend his title in 2014 when he crashed out on stage five. Alberto Contador also crashed out that year leaving Vincenzo Nibali a clear run at the title.
Evans also talked about the new dynamic at his former team, BMC. The team has been led by Tejay van Garderen since Evans’s retirement, but have brought on Richie Porte in a co-leadership capacity for 2016.
When speaking to Herald Sun the 38-year-old was asked about van Garderen’s likely feelings towards the co-leader approach in WorldTour races.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to wait and see,” he conceded.
“It will probably give you a bit to talk about. It’s one of the things you’ll be able to follow with interest next year.”
Recent history shows us that, despite any tension, two riders can do well on the same team in a Grand Tour. Evans was unable to defend his Tour title in 2012, when Sky duo Sir Bradley Wiggins and Froome finished first and second, respectively.
Since then, Movistar took second and third at this year’s Grand Boucle with Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde.
However, with Porte and van Garderen never having been on the podium of a Grand Tour a similar performance from BMC might be out of reach.
