BMC Racing Team President/General Manager Jim Ochowicz announced the hiring of former professional Valerio Piva as sport director for the 2014 season on Monday.
Long-Term Future Was Appealing
During a 10-year pro career, Piva was part of the winning team time trial squad on the opening stage of the 1983 Giro d’Italia and finished runner-up at Trofeo Laigueglia in 1987. Since his retirement in 1991, the Italian has worked as a sport director for a number of teams, including T-Mobile, HTC-Highroad and currently, Katusha Team. “We are excited to have Valerio joining our group of directeurs sportifs for next season,” Ochowicz said. “His many years in the sport will add another layer of expertise to the team that will be a direct benefit to our riders.” Piva said part of the appeal of the BMC Racing Team had to do with its future, which is secure through the 2016 season. “For me, it is more interesting to have a long-term project,” he said. “The last two years I worked for Katusha, where I had a very good experience and result. But I want to be in a team which has the same vision as me. In the BMC Racing Team, you also have very strong and very nice riders. I know a lot of these guys. For example, I worked with Tejay van Garderen at HTC. So for me, it’s very exciting to work with a top team.”