November 1 - The way could be open for Britain's Bradley Wiggins to join Team Sky in a multi-million pound deal after Australia's world champion Cadel Evans (pictured) decided to leave Belgian team Silence-Lotto.

 

Evans, who has finished runner-up in the Tour de France twice, looks poised to  join the American Garmin Slipstream team and that will allow Wiggins to move Team Sky.

 

Evans, who invoked a clause in his contract that allows him to leave, is due to hold a press conference Adelaide tomorrow to announce his plans.

 

It has been claimed that Dave Brailsford, British Cycling's performance director and the principal of Team Sky, flew to New York today to undergo negotiations buying out Wiggins, the three-time Olympic gold medallist who finished fourth in this year's Tour de France, from the American team for $2 million (£1.2 million).

 

Garmin's Australian team director Matt White was not surprised by Evans' decision to quit Silence.

 

He said: "Cadel was keen to get out of Silence.

 

"Cadel has been looking to go to a team that would help him win the Tour de France for a while now.

 

"I'd love to have him at Garmin-Slipstream."

 

 

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