Cadel Evans: Exploring the world of gin and tonic

Cadel Evans, winner of the Tour de France in 2011 and World Champion in 2009, is seated on the terrace of Tofu Girona enjoying one of the first warm evenings of the year. Gin and tonic has become somewhat of a favourite tipple for the former professional cyclist since he announced his retirement from cycling, and thenceforth Evans likes to try the beverage in different places.

After announcing his retirement from professional cycling at the World Championships in Pontferrada in 2014, he tried one of his first gin and tonics. Back then, having adhered to a strict athletes’ diet for many years, he had no knowledge about the drink. It was only later, through a friend based near Granada, that the Australian cyclist first learned about gin and tonic.

Back in time, to hot autumn evenings in La Zubia, close to Granada, where he was considering his possibilities in his post-professional cycling life. It was there with his Australian friend, while sharing the pleasure of a gin tonic, Evans could relax and reflect on his career and consider what he wanted to do next.

“Being far away from home is fine when everything goes smooth and well. However, when things don’t go so well, then you can start feeling alone,” he recalls from that period of time at the end of his professional career. “An Australian friend in La Zubia was there for me, and we talked about possibilities and opportunities in my retirement.”

“He made me see that I had basically already made the decisions about what I wanted to do with my life, which I guess I had decided by subconscious planning, and he helped me realise them. Everyone knows someone in their lives like he is to me – However, in my case, my friends are all living at the other side of the world,” confides Evans, who is nowadays a BMC ambassador, race organizer and active in the bike industry.

Cadel Evans did not get the chance to visit Catalonia many times during his professional career. It was only one participation in the Volta a Catalunya that introduced him to the region. “I only remember a battle with Dan Martin on an uphill finish from that race, and that I was still a bit tired from winning Tirreno-Adriatico two weeks before”.

Nowadays, Evans still rides, but more often, he goes trail running. “It is good for one’s posture, ligaments, and long-term fitness”, he says. “I did not do any running during my career, as my trainers did not recommend it. However looking back, I strongly believe some running could have benefited my career, like it does for Wout van Aert and Primoz Roglic.”

He proves his words throughout the event organized by BMC in Girona: Evans drops everyone on Els Àngels, while on the descent to Madremanya, no one is capable of following the ex-professional cyclist with 34 victories on his palmares. Now that the pressure is off, instead of having to focus solely on recovery, Evans nowadays likes to enjoy a good meal and ocassionally a drink after a beautiful day of riding.

“I am enjoying my post-professional cyclist life”, the now 47-year old Evans comments, “to explore new places and to enjoy new experiences, like we did today, in the Empordà – do I pronounce it correctly?”

This story is part of Nafent Magazine volume 11. Read the full story in our digital or paper magazine. Go to our webshop to get yours.