Team Bahrain-Merida recently announced the acquisition of former BMC Racing Team riders Rohan Dennis and Damiano Caruso for the 2019 season.
BMC is seeing a number of key riders jumping ship after difficulties securing sponsorship for ongoing seasons. It was recently announced that GC specialist Tejay Van Garderen would move to a leadership role at EF Education First p/b Drapac for 2019 as well. Continuum Sports, the parent of the BMC Racing Team ultimately found a partner in the CCC organization, but it’s likely that uncertainty about the future drove many riders into early negotiations.
Dennis has emerged as one of the biggest names in World Tour cycling. After starting his professional career in 2013 and he has already achieved great results, not only at Grand Tours but also on the one-day races as well as the shorter stage races. He is also extremely talented in time trials which is only one of the many reasons Team Bahrain Merida are so pleased to have him joining the team. He began his career by focusing on the track and was part of the Australian team that took the silver medals in the team pursuit at 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Dennis commented after signing with Team Bahrain Merida: “I am extremely excited to be joining Bahrain Merida for the next two years. The organisation has been upfront and honest about their plans and objectives for me the entire time, which is really positive. As I know, we are working towards the same goals. I’m looking forward to working with a team that is going to invest in my future and I am very keen to see what we can achieve together. I would like to thank all at BMC for a great past four years where I felt I made good progress in my career and I can’t wait to continue that progress with Bahrain Merida.”
General Manager Brent Copeland commented the arrival of Rohan to Team Bahrain Merida: “Making this announcement makes us all very proud. Rohan adds a great value to the team, not only as one of the world best time trialist, but we believe his ability to race in the general classification of grand tours is where we want to invest in and we are all very excited to be able to work together. Rohan is a true professional in all areas and we feel his professional mentality fits our team perfectly. His enthusiasm and exciting way of racing will definitely bring something special to the team. We welcome him and we’re excited to be able to support him through all his success he deserves with us.”
A professional rider since 2009, Damiano Caruso has taken one win so far – a stage of the Settimana Coppi e Bartali in 2013 – but his role was mainly to support the team leaders in Grand Tours, where he placed 8th overall at the 2015 Giro d’Italia, 9th at the 2014 Vuelta a Espana and 11th at the 2017 Tour de France. “I rode with Vincenzo Nibali when we were teammates at Liquigas in the seasons 2011-2012 ” comments Caruso “It’s nice to be again in the same team. In addition to our friendships, I wish we can build something good together”.
An all-rounder, with excellent climbing and TT skills, the Italian rider will pursue both personal and team goals in stage races: “My aim is to continue as I did in the last seasons” says Damiano, who performed very well at 2017 Tour de Suisse (2nd overall) and 2018 Tirreno-Adriatico (2nd overall) “My role within the team will be to have my chance for some short stage races and then support the team captain in the Grand Tours”.
Team BAHRAIN MERIDA General Manager Brent Copeland welcomes him to the team: “Having Caruso on the team means bringing on even more guarantee to an already solid team. Damiano covers so many roles on a team which is exactly what we were looking for: he can be a leader when it’s needed as well as been one of the best domestiques in the pro peloton; his consistent results and true professionalism is exactly the kind of rider which we felt suited our team perfectly. We are extremely happy to have Caruso on the team and looking forward to some exciting years of working together”.
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