Wednesday, 5 September 2012:

Cadel Evans has pulled out of this month's world road cycling titles in the Netherlands after calling an early end to his testing season.

The 2011 Tour de France champion has been dogged by illness and injury with a knee complaint finishing him off for 2012.

The Australian has endured a testing northern summer, finishing seventh at the Tour de France before withdrawing from the time trial at the London Olympics because of exhaustion.

BMC's team doctor Max Testa said there was no damage to the knee and no signs of the low-grade infection that has afflicted the 35-year-old this year.

"But considering there are so few races left, and with his current level of fitness, the medical staff and management decided to make this the end of his season," he said.

Evans was not prepared to risk his 2013 campaign by pushing himself at the world titles in Limburg and Tour of Lombardia this month.

"I'm disappointed surely, but in the end, there's nothing I can do," Evans said.

"I wanted to come back and race this year but it could possibly compromise my 2013.

"At this point, we can't afford to do that. So I'll completely recover and do what I can to be back to my normal level next year."

AAP