Evans' ride to Tour de France victory passed through Superweek

Australian cyclist Cadel Evans celebrated his victory in the Tour de France on the same day the Point Root Beer International Cycling Classic wrapped up its 43rd run of Superweek races.

The series and the cycling star have a more direct connection than that twist of the calendar.

Evans raced in the Superweek series in 2000, at the start of his transition from world mountain bike champion to road racing superstar. It wasn't an immediate success, and Evans' best showing in Milwaukee was a close second in the Schlitz Park Brewers Hill Challenge.

Cadel Evans races for Volvo / Cannondale team in Superweek 2000.

Photo courtesy of International Cycling Classic.

Eddy Van Guyse, the venerable race announcer, remembered Evans' impression on the road racing scene.

"It was a pleasure," Van Guyse said. "I was telling everybody we had a world champion of mountain bike racing making the transition to road racing. He was so thrilled to be there, and testing the waters to see what his chances were to become a road racer.

"He wasn't getting dropped. He's a guy who has heart and lungs. He was probably the most sought-after autograph, more than anybody else."

Evans joins an impressive group of riders that used the International Cycling Classic as a bridge to the Tour de France, including Chris Horner, Lance Armstrong and Greg LeMond.