Evans shocked the racing fraternity earlier this week when he quit powerhouse Belgian outfit Silence-Lotto to join second-tier US team BMC, which doesn't have a Pro Tour licence and must rely on wildcards to secure berths in some of the world's premier races.

The 32-year-old will unveil his new outfit, featuring 2008 road race world champion Alessandro Ballan, Lance Armstrong's former teammate George Hincapie and established pros Marcus Burghardt and Karsten Kroon, at the Tour Down Under in Adelaide after BMC received a wildcard to the January 17-24 event.

In what is shaping up as a bumper field, seven-times Tour de France winner Armstrong will also be present with his new RadioShack team.

Evans, a runner-up at the Tour de France in '07 and '08 before this year's disappointing 30th-place finish, was adamant his move to BMC, although a gamble, would ultimately help him reach the pinnacle.

"One step back, two steps forward is my way looking at it," Evans said at the Perth launch of his biography Cadel Evans - Close to Flying on Thursday.

"A lot of people have said 'why would I go away and change to another team?' "But it's about surrounding myself with people that can best help me to ultimately get onto the top step of the podium of the Tour de France.

"Next year first we have to prove that we deserve an invite to the Tour de France, that's our first step.

"We have to prove to the Tour de France organisers and the world that we don't deserve to be left at home, we deserve a start in the Tour. "That's a challenge we have ahead of us and I'm looking forward to it.

"Having the rainbow jersey (for winning the road race at the world championship in September) and going for the win (in France) is in everyone's interest ...

"I'd be surprised if we don't make it (to France), I believe in our ability as a team to prove ourselves that we will get there." But Evans was far less optimistic about his chances of winning the Tour Down Under.

"I'll be happy to be a good helping hand to George Hincapie, it's not a race that suits me," he said.

"I just want to be able to say thank you to the Australian public and be able to race in Australia with the rainbow jersey.