Cadel Evans

As one of only two non-Europeans to win the Tour de France, Cadel Evans is the country’s most successful cyclist, having been the only Australian to don the yellow jersey. 

As a young adult, Evans was a champion mountain biker with titles in the 1998 and 1999 World Cup. Evans is also a four-time Olympian, placing seventh in the men’s cross-country mountain bike race at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. 

Turning towards road cycling in 2001, Cadel finished second on the Tour de France podium twice, before claiming first place in 2011 at age 34. With a Tour de France win and a ‘Don Award’ from The Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2011, an Order of Australia Medal in 2013, as well as a palmarès with major titles like the prestigious La Flèche Wallonne One Day Classic in Belgium, Cadel retired from professional cycling in 2014 after a wildly successful career. 

The inaugural Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, where he marked his retirement in 2015, has quickly reached cyclists from all around the world. Thousands flock to compete in the Swisse People’s Ride, while the Elite Men’s race and Deakin University Women’s Race have both reached UCI World Tour status.

Cadel continues to use his career to advocate for important issues, which awarded him a 2017 VicSport Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award.

A keen advocate and loyal supporter for Orygen Youth Health, Evans promotes youth mental health in the yearly Suit Up & Ride event since 2010. He also helped Towards Zero Race Melbourne gain full live commercial coverage in a bid towards equal prize money between male and female winners. He is also driven by his mission to promote healthy living and improving rider safety.

Cadel’s definitive story is told in ‘Cadel Evans, The Art of Cycling’.