World road race champion Cadel Evans is an unlikely starter for next year's Tour Down Under.
Organisers of the Australian Pro Tour event have approached Evans about lining up alongside seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong in Adelaide in January.
But while he admitted it would be an honour to be the first Australian to race in the world champion's rainbow jersey on home soil, Evans said it could compromise his quest to win the coveted Tour de France yellow jersey in July.
While he was yet to make a final decision, he indicated he would bypass the race.
''The Australian public give me the impression they would like to see the rainbow jersey racing in Australia,'' Evans said.
''I imagine [that would be a great honour] but the Tour Down Under is very early in the season and the Tour de France is in July.
''It's a compromise, which is something I have to weigh up.
''I'm hoping to make a decision within the next few weeks.''
Evans became Australia's first winner of a world championship men's road race in Switzerland last month.
It was a memorable highlight in a tough season for 32-year-old, who finished a disappointing 30th in the Tour de France.
Mechanical failure also relegated him to third in the Tour of Spain in 2009, a race he had been on track to win to claim his first grand tour title.
After finishing second in the Tour de France in 2007 and 2008, Evans said his full focus in 2010 was on winning the world's most prestigious race.
''The Tour is what my year is going to be concentrated on next year,'' Evans said.
''For me, I've been two times second and I want to go one better.
''This year my goals were Tour de France and world championships, next year it's Tour de France.''
The route of next year's Tour de France was released earlier this month, with six challenging climbs making it one for the mountain men.
Working in Evans's favour will be the fact there will be no team trial next year, something that will enhance his chances of claiming the yellow jersey.
Evans wouldn't be drawn on what he thought his chances for the 2010 race were. He said the course best suited 2009 winner and noted climber Alberto Contador.
''It's a climber's course,'' he said.
''I think it suits Contador best.
''It's probably going to be won in the mountains so I've got to work on being there for that.
''But it's eight months out at this point, so we'll see when we get closer.''
Armstrong used the Tour Down Under to relaunch his professional cycling career in January.
The mere presence of the American cycling great created massive hype before, during and after the event.
Armstrong had previously retired after his seventh consecutive Tour de France win in 2005.
He went on to finish third in the Tour de France this year.
Evans has returned to Australia following the end of the European season and will resume training in November.