Evans has been training well, but enters the Giro del Friuli on Thursday simply hoping to help his teammates.

"There are a lot of riders who are far ahead of me in terms of physical condition," Evans commented and added "This is the latest start to a season I have had since 2004. It will be an adjustment for me, as well as those who are used to seeing me in front early in the season. People seem to forget how long and hard the cycling season is."

"I've had good lead into the 2011 season, training well without any significant problems. It is a later start for me, but a normal time to start for a Tour de France rider," Evans told Roadcycling.com/Roadcycling.mobi.

Evans' teammate George Hincapie begins his 18th professional season in the Montepaschi Strade Bianche on Saturday, hoping to build intensity for his classics program further up North in Europe.

"I've been at home (in Greenville, South Carolina) motorpacing four or five days a week, trying to train as hard as possible," Hincapie commented and continued "I've had good weather, daily massages and am eating well. I feel strong - definitely a lot better than I did at this time last year." Team BMC Racing's Alessandro Ballan was runner-up at Strade Bianche back in 2008.

Team BMC Racing roster for the 2011 Giro del Friuli (March 3):
Alessandro Ballan (ITA), Chad Beyer (USA), Cadel Evans (AUS), Mathias Frank (SUI), Martin Kohler (SUI), Jeff Louder (USA), Tim Roe (AUS), Mauro Santambrogio (ITA).

Team BMC Racing roster for the 2011 Montepaschi Strade Bianche (March 5):
Alessandro Ballan (ITA), Cadel Evans (AUS), Mathias Frank (SUI), George Hincapie (USA), Martin Kohler (SUI), Mauro Santambrogio (ITA), Michael Schär (SUI), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL).