Cadel back home for victory parade

Updated

Sorry, this video has expired Video: Cadel Evans arrives in Melbourne (ABC News)

Cadel Evans has arrived in Melbourne for a two-day visit as the city prepares for a victory parade to mark his historic Tour de France win.

Evans, who last month became the first Australian to win the prestigious race, touched down with his Italian wife Chiara Passerini at Melbourne airport this morning.

"It's great to be home and to be able to celebrate it with everyone who's supported me," he told reporters after leaving the plane.

"It's been so appreciated by everyone - it's an honour and a pleasure.

"I've been working at the Tour de France for the best part of my whole life, and then when it all comes together, to have been supported all this way through and be able to bring the yellow jersey back to Australia, of course I'm proud to do it."

Some have called Evans' win the greatest sporting achievement in Australian history but the 34-year-old was too humble to accept that.

"I don't know if it's the greatest but it's been something that I've worked hard on for so long," he said.

"I've also come very close before but just for a little bit of bad luck it didn't quite come through, but that makes it so much more worthwhile on a personal level.

"I'm just happy that everyone enjoyed it, everyone enjoyed following it and seeing it.

"It's the culmination of many many years of work for a lot of people."

Evans said he was looking forward to spending time with his close family before tomorrow's victory parade in central Melbourne.

"[I'm] most looking forward to see some of my close family," he said.

"It's always nice to come home and get a hug from your mum."

Tomorrow thousands of fans are expected to turn out to cheer Evans as he rides down St Kilda Road from the National Gallery of Victoria before a public reception at Federation Square.

"I encourage everyone in Melbourne on Friday to come out to Federation Square and wear yellow and welcome our champion home," Sport Minister Mark Arbib said.

Streets around the parade route will be closed and the procession will be broadcast to crowds on big screens.

Topics: cycling, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia

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