My father who art an Evans
Aidan follows in Dad’s pedals:
AIDAN Evans might not be walking yet, but put him on a bike seat and he becomes a “happy little Vegemite”.
It’s no wonder, given his dad Cadel is Australia’s greatest all-time cyclist and has his own elite international race.
Aidan, who turned one last week, will be at the start line on the Geelong waterfront next week when his dad fires the starter’s pistol for the 1.6km family ride that’s become a popular part of the annual Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
It will be a special moment for Evans, who bolted home to Australia for his race commitments last year just days after his partner Stefania Zandonella had given birth to Aidan in a Swiss hospital.
“Last year, I rushed away from a newborn child to come here to be at the race, but this year, my little guy comes with me,” Evans said yesterday. “It’s a proud father moment.”
Evans has spent his life cycling.
He rode his first bike at age two, shed his training wheels before his fourth birthday and raced mountainbikes at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 before an illustrious road racing career that peaked with his 2011 Tour de France victory.
With a former pro-skier mum and professional cyclist dad, Aidan has an impressive athletic pedigree.
While his parents say they won’t be steering their son on to any sporting path, Evans is keen to share his love of cycling with Aidan, just as he’ll do with thousands of others next week.
“I think he (Aidan) might get on the start line and watch the others go round,” Evans said.
“We certainly don’t push him, but as a father, I’m proud of where the race has come and seeing little kids, children and families involved in a World Tour race.
“We all start riding bikes as kids and enjoy the freedom and independence a bike can gives us.
“That’s what started my passion and love for cycling, so to see so many kids participate and think that might happen for them is really pleasing.”
Now in its sixth year, Evans’ race meet will start with a new event on Thursday, January 30.
Some of the world’s best road sprinters will compete in the Race Torquay circuit event.
The Vegemite Family Ride will be held the next day, followed by a series of People’s Rides on the Saturday and the elite women’s and men’s races on the Sunday.
“I like to think it’s a weekend where everyone can be a bike rider from Thursday to Sunday, from my son, who can nearly ride a balance bike, through to (Elia) Viviani and Caleb Ewan and Sam Bennett, who will be the favourites to win on Sunday,” Evans said.
Register for the Vegemite Family Ride at cadelroadrace. com