Lotto wants Evans in the Giro

The question of Cadel Evans' participation in the Giro d'Italia has not yet been settled, with the team now saying that it would like the Australian to ride the race as preparation for the Tour de France.

The Italian media reported last week that Evans would ride the Giro, which he subsequently denied.

Directeur Sportif Roberto Damiano told the Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws that the team will discuss it with Evans again in January. "I have said that he must reflect some more, that the ball is in his court."

The Italian sees the Giro as the ideal warm-up for the Tour, with its "long time trial and not too difficult climbs."

Damiano added that the Belgian team will have a strong squad for the races, despite the loss of Yaroslav Popovych and Dario Cioni, and the absence of Bernhard Kohl, who will not be joining the team as planned. "The team is not weak, on the contrary," he said, warning not to underestimate newcomers Sebastian Lang and Charly Wegelius, as well as Thomas Dekker and Jurgen Van den Broeck.