Australia's world road cycling champion Cadel Evans announced his return to the Tour Down Under on Thursday, lining up a showdown with legendary American Lance Armstrong.

Evans, a former Tour winner, will end a four-year absence from Australia's signature event after his BMC Racing Team accepted a wildcard. The 32-year-old will wear the rainbow jersey he won at the world championships in September.

"It's a privilege to be able to present my new jersey and my new BMC Racing Team to the Australian public and the rest of the world at the Tour Down Under in January," he said in a statement.

Evans now has the chance to make up for his two Tour de France runner-up finishes against Armstrong, the seven-time winner in France who returned from retirement at this year's Australian race.

"This will be the first time that an Australian will compete on Australian soil wearing the rainbow jersey in a road stage race," said Tour Down Under race director Mike Turtur.

The Tour Down Under will be held in South Australia from January 17-24.

AFP

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