Cadel Evans waves to the tens of thousands of fans in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Cadel Evans poses for photos at a packed press conference(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans following the Welcome to Country in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
The National Anthem is sung(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans recognised at an official presentation in Melbourne's Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans waves to the crowd(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans and Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans waves to the massive crowd in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans waves to the massive crowd in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans is swamped by media upon his arrival in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans is swamped by media upon his arrival in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans is swamped by media upon his arrival in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans' BMC Time Machine(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans' BMC Time Machine complete with a sprig of wattle(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
A young fan of Evans(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
One of the many home-made signs(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans, happy, relaxed and briefly back on home soil(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Cadel Evans speaks at the press conference in Melbourne(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Cadel Evans speaks at the press conference in Melbourne(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Cadel Evans speaks at the press conference in Melbourne(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu at the Cadel Evans press conference(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Cadel Evans and his wife Chiara Passerini in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans waves to a packed Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Very Australian, Akubra hats(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Cadel Evans speaks with Melbourne sports personality Gerard Whateley(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
An Aussie flag in the crowd in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
The Victorian Premier presents Evans with a trophy(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
The Victorian Premier presents Evans with a trophy(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
One of the many fans in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans' BMC Time Machine complete with a sprig of wattle(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
One of the many fans in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
The crowd at Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
The crowd at Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
The Tibetan and Australian flags in the crowd(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
One of the many home-made signs in the crowd(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
One of the many home-made signs in the crowd(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
The huge lunchtime crowd(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Australia congratulates Cadel(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Fans of Evans decked out in yellow(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
One of Cadel's many fans(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Melbourne Lord Mayor Robert Doyle(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans' BMC Time Machine complete with a sprig of wattle(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
A Tibetan flag in the crowd(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
The media presence at Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
The massive crowd in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Allez Cadel!(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Some Cadel fans(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans on the big screen at Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
A sea of yellow for Evans(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Cadel Evans on stage in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
A sea of yellow 'Yell for Cadel' flags in Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Young and old were out in force to Yell for Cadel(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans enters the press conference with Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans' wife, Chiara Passerini was also enjoying the festivities(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Cadel Evans at the post-celebration press conference(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Evans is congratulated by Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
A young fan cheers on Cadel Evans in Melbourne's Federation Square(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
The huge crowd in Federation Square salute the achievements of Cadel Evans(Image credit: Chris Putnam)
Tens of thousands of people, old and new to the world of cycling convened in the centre of Australia's southern capital, Melbourne, today to congratulate BMC's Cadel Evans on becoming the nation's first winner of the Tour de France.
Sporting his yellow jersey and full BMC team kit, with leg warmers to brace against the notorious Melbourne winter, Evans standing on stage in Federation Square seemed genuinely surprised at the reception he received from the crowd, what Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu described as a "Cadelebration".
"I could say I'm overwhelmed but that would be the understatement of this month, at least," Evans said interviewed before for the crowd.
Asked if the achievement of winning the Tour de France has changed him, Evans was self-deprecating.
"It still hurts to ride uphill," he chuckled. "I still ride every day when I'm not travelling around the world on a plane. Yes, certainly, it's changed a little bit."
Evans arrived back home on Thursday from Europe for a 70 hour trip dominated by media appearances and one very special "hug from mum". The 2009 World Champion said he was "happy to be able to give something back to everyone who's supported me and also honoured for everyone who's been so appreciative of it [Tour de France victory]."
Not a centimetre of spare space was available in Melbourne's Federation Square over an hour before the 34-year-old was scheduled to make an appearance on stage at the public reception, the crowd waving a mixture of ‘Yell for Cadel' and Australian flags. Evans meantime got on his bike and rode a short distance down St Kilda Road towards the Square, opposite the famous Flinders Street Station, flanked by 20 junior Victorian cyclists randomly chosen from the field of 180 entered in the 2011 Victorian Junior Road Championships held in Wangaratta over the weekend. Evans shook hands with many members of the crowd as he could, much like the scenes on the Champs Elysees in July.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Speaking on SBS television, Cycling Australia Chief Executive Graham Fredericks said: "This is a fantastic turn out today and Cadel should be very proud of what he's achieved and these people are here to acknowledge that. We knew a few would turn up but this is just incredible, it's overwhelming – fantastic recognition for Cadel."
As a sports journalist and producer since 1997, Jane has covered Olympic and Commonwealth Games, rugby league, motorsport, cricket, surfing, triathlon, rugby union, and golf for print, radio, television and online. However her enduring passion has been cycling.
Jane is a former Australian Editor of Cyclingnews from 2011 to 2013 and continues to freelance within the cycling industry.
