Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) will ride a custom Aboriginal-themed BMC TeamMachine SLR01 for his final WorldTour race, the Tour Down Under.

Evans will ride the Tour Down Under before taking part in the Great Ocean Road Race and will then call time on a professional career which saw him win the world road race championship in 2009 before becoming the first Australian to win the Tour de France in 2011.

The farewell machine paints a colourful picture of the 37-year-old. While the dominant colour scheme is white, red and black to match Evans’ red and black BMC Racing jersey, intricate details include Aboriginal art, the comic character Tintin, the rainbow stripes and the Australian flag.

“Even after 20 years of professional bike riding, I still love to get a new bike,” said Evans. “It is like Christmas all over again, every time – hard to believe, but it’s true.”

“However, throughout my whole time in cycling it has been about riding the bike. Having a special bike to ride here during my last week as a professional cyclist makes the event more special.”

BMC Switzerland’s chief executive officer David Zurcher added: “This TeamMachine SLR01 is a gift, a thank you from BMC Switzerland and the BMC Racing Team for his contribution to the sport of professional cycling and to our company. Cadel’s determination and dedication inspire us. It is an emotional time for this dearly loved, legendary athlete and riding on a personalized bike to commemorate this week at the Tour Down Under seemed very fitting.”

Evans’ machine is dressed in team spec components, with a complete Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 groupset with SRM power meter, Shimano Dura-Ace C50 wheels wrapped in Competition ProLtd tubular tyres, 3T finishing kit and a Fizik saddle.

Let’s take a closer look at Evans’ farewell bike and the story behind it.