In first victory as World Champion, Evans displays amazing form by besting Tour de France champion Alberto Contador in hilly Ardennes classic

(Scotts Valley, CA, April 20, 2010) Current World Champion, Cadel Evans of Team BMC Racing, won his first-ever Spring Classic today in the 198-kilometer Fleche Wallone. After finishing second, fifth and ninth in previous editions of the mid-week classic, Evans credited his breakthrough to a reconnaissance run the day before the race. After seeing the final climb of the event, the 1.3-kilometer, 9% Mur de Huy free of spectators, Evans told a crowd of reporters gathered at the finish that he knew he needed to save his move for the absolute final moments of the race.

Evans was riding a BMC Team Machine SLR 01 equipped with 1175-gram Easton EC90 SLX carbon fiber wheels, 130-gram EA90 stem and 195-gram EC90 SLX3 composite handlebars. No question that Evans benefited from the EC90 SLX’s low rotational weight, smooth rolling R4-SL hubs (which feature Grade 3 Hybrid Ceramic bearings) and evenly tensioned Sapim double-butted spokes.

Despite their low weight, the EC90 SLX wheels are durable enough to withstand the rough and unpredictable roads Evans and Co. would’ve encountered as they sped through the Belgian countryside southeast of Brussels. As the event played out, Evans found himself trailing Tour de France Champion Alberto Contador (Astana Cycling Team) and countryman Igor Anton (Euskaltel-Euskadi) by a handful of seconds with less than 500- meters to go to the finish. Waiting until just the right moment, Evans piloted his BMC past the two Spaniards and nabbed his first win in a Spring Classic. Today’s performance indicates that the Australian’s form will be great for the three-week-long Giro d’Italia.

BMC Racing is a key partner in the research and development of Easton’s world-renowned carbon and aluminum wheels. The team will rely on an arsenal of light, but stiff and dependable handbuilt wheels as they take on the Giro d’Italia and Tour of California this May.

Evans and his BMC squad will see if they can match today’s sterling result in the final Spring classic, Liege- Bastogne-Liege next weekend.

Easton’s full product line can be seen at www.eastonbike.com

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About Easton Sports

Founded in 1922, Easton Sports, Inc. has always focused on the design and manufacture of innovative, high performance sporting goods equipment. Today, Easton’s bicycle division delivers a range of carbon and aluminum components and wheels to consumers that provide category-leading performance and value. In 2010 Easton Sports will supply wheels and components to the world’s best athletes in nearly every cycling discipline.

About BMC Racing Team

The BMC Racing Team is an American-registered UCI Professional Continental team. The title sponsor, BMC, is a Swiss bicycle manufacturing company that is dedicated to technological innovation and producing bicycle frames of the finest design, construction, style and quality. The BMC Racing Team, its members and sponsors are passionate about cycling and about bicycle technology.