Evans to leave Silence-Lotto

World Champion Cadel Evans has decided to leave his Silence-Lotto squad to seek another team. The Australian negotiated his departure through a mutual agreement with his team.

After five years with the team in which he scored two podium places in the Tour de France and the recent world title in Mendrisio, Evans has chosen to take advantage of his increased market value "to look for new challenges" his team announced Saturday.

"Silence-Lotto is proud of the progress Cadel made in our team - from a rough time to the absolute world top in five years time, also thanks to the professional entourage and the good teamwork - and wishes him all the best for his further career."

"It is part of the game, that once the summit is reached, the cyclists sometimes decide to explore other horizons. Though this is never pleasant for our team, it demonstrates the success of our project, and it opens perspectives for the many talented cyclists who are bursting with impatience, ready to discover their limits and to take over the torch."

Evans had been critical of his team's support during his two failed attempts to attain the overall victory in the Tour de France, but after winning this year's world championships, he seemed to commit himself totally to the service of his teammate Philippe Gilbert, helping him to four victories in a row including the Giro di Lombardia.

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