Cadel Evans understands the doping confessions of former Australian professional cyclists Matt White and Stephen Hodge have dented the nation's faith in the sport. Cycling has been rocked by revelations of the depth of drug taking during the disgraced Lance Armstrong's reign in the Tour de France between 1999 and 2005.

Both White (coach) and Hodge (vice-president) have stood down from influential positions at Cycling Australia after admitting they had taken performance-enhancing drugs during their cycling careers.

Speaking in Paris following the announcement of next year's Tour de France route, Australian 2011 champion Evans accepted damage had been done to the Australian public’s confidence in cycling.