Sixteen riders from the BMC Racing Team – including defending road race champion Philippe Gilbert – and one from the BMC Development Team are competing in this week’s UCI world road championships in Tuscany, Italy.
Road Race and Time Trial Participants
BMC Racing Team riders who will join Gilbert in the 272.2-kilometer road race Sunday are: Marcus Burghardt (GER), Steve Cummings (GBR), Cadel Evans (AUS), Mathias Frank (SUI), Thor Hushovd (NOR), Amaël Moinard (FRA), stagiaire Jakub Novak (CZE), Dominik Nerz (GER), Taylor Phinney (USA), Ivan Santaromita (ITA), Michael Schär (SUI), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL), Tejay van Garderen (USA) and Danilo Wyss (SUI).
Marco Pinotti (ITA) and Phinney will also represent their countries in the 57.9-km individual time trial on Wednesday.
The BMC Development Team is also represented, with Stefan Küng competing in the Under 23 road race for Switzerland on Friday after finishing sixth in Monday’s Under 23 individual time trial, and Loic Vliegen is also first reserve for the Belgian team.
President/General Manager Jim Ochowicz said the large number of riders earning the right to represent their countries is a testament to their accomplishments for the BMC Racing Team. “We are proud to have 16 of our BMC Racing Team riders selected by their individual national federations for this year’s world championships,” Ochowicz said. “All of our athletes are well-prepared for these championships through various recent competitions and training camps with us over the last few months. We look forward to their participation and to Philippe Gilbert’s defense of his 2012 title.”
Ron Callahan is the chief cook and bottlewasher at Bike World News, doing everything from website design to bike reviews.