While his team played a vital role last year, BMC have beefed up their squad in the wake of the formidable Schleck brothers joining RadioShack-Nissan, and with Spaniard Alberto Contador making a possible return to the race.

Andy Schleck was runner-up in the race for the third time last year and, with brother Frank also racing under Johan Bruyneel, who steered both Lance Armstrong and Contador to multiple titles, they will be among Evans's biggest challengers.

``You can't argue with Johan Bruyneel's record. It's pretty difficult to say there's a better Tour de France (team) director than him, given the number of wins he has,'' Evans said.

``That would indicate the Schleck brothers are in, if not the best hands, better hands. They're certainly going to be a force to be reckoned with and more than likely the guys to beat in July.''

Evans might also have to contend with three-time champion Contador, whose fate following a positive doping test at the 2010 Tour de France is set to be decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) next week.

The 2012 edition of the Tour is dominated by time trials, making Evans, Contador, Britain's Bradley Wiggins and American Levi Leipheimer the early contenders.

Evans, meanwhile, insists he will benefit from the recent addition to BMC of multi-talented Belgian Philippe Gilbert and 2010 world champion Thor Hushovd of Norway, among others.