Geelong to celebrate Evans on return

Tour de France runner-up Cadel Evans will get a civic reception when he returns to Australia later this year, the City of Greater Geelong has announced. The Silence-Lotto rider resides in the Geelong suburb of Barwon Heads, where the welcoming ceremony will he held.

A date is yet to be set for the ceremony, as it's not yet known when Evans will return to Australia. The Northern Territory-born rider is heading to China, where he will contest the Beijing Olympic Games road race.

"We had a farewell for him when he left so we definitely want to celebrate his success," councillor Peter McMullin told the Geelong Advertiser. "He is very busy at the moment, obviously, but when we find out when he is coming back, I will speak to the mayor and we will arrange something.

"He did a wonderful job and everyone in Barwon Heads is incredibly proud of him," he said.

Geelong is no stranger to cycling, with the city hosting a round of the Women's World Cup. It will also be the site of the 2010 World Road Championship.