BMC Racing Team on show down under

Dec 13th, 09. With Cadel Evans, George Hincapie, the new BMC Pro Machine SLC01 and Hincapie Sportswear kit , BMC will be one of the most high profile teams at the Santos Tour Down Under.

Cadel Evans' BMC Pro Machine SLC01. The SLC01 will be available in NZ early 2010 ©BMC Racing

BMC Racing Team's lineup for next month's first event of the 2010 pro-tour season includes World Road Champion Cadel Evans racing in the Rainbow jersey, plus American Road Champion George Hincapie racing in the Stars and Stripes jersey.

Whether these two are at the front of the race or in the middle of the peloton, they will be the easiest two riders to spot. Making them even easier to find, they will be riding the bright red BMC Pro Machine SLC01.

With just a few weeks until the 2010 season gets underway, all the members of the BMC Racing team are taking stock of their fitness and ambitions for the new season. The team has invested in two different team training camps, one in Switzerland and one in Utah.

Having signed some of the top names in the sport such as Cadel Evans, George Hincapie, Allessadro Ballan, Karsten Kroon and Marcus Burghardt, the BMC Racing Team hopes to have built a team which can battle for victories at the toughest races from one day classics to three week tours.

Along with some high-profile additions to the team, the management will be relying on returning BMC members like Jeff Louder, Brent Bookwalter, Mathias Frank and Thomas Frei to provide the support and on the road leadership which will be needed to fulfill their biggest ambitions.  Half of the team are under 25.

"Having Cadel [above] on the team roster will make it special," Hincapie.  ©(c)Sirotti

Hit the ground running

"Coming to this team, I am very excited by the growth potential it has over the next two or three years," Hincapie said. "I'm excited to grow with the team, and I am confident we have the experienced staff to guide the group; we'll certainly be well taken care of."

Since much of the staff has had extensive Grand Tour experience, everyone on the team is going into the new season with the expectation that they will be prepared to compete on the highest levels from the start.

"I'm happy to be starting off my season at the Tour Down Under since I've enjoyed that race in the past and it gives us a good chance to race in some warm weather," Hincapie said. "Having Cadel on the team roster for that race too, especially since he is the World Road Champion, will make it special."

Though neither Evans nor Hincapie will be focusing their season on winning in Australia, BMC will nevertheless be going with an eye towards conquering the GC.

"Evans' goals are pretty clear later in the season, and the parcours doesn't really suit him," Hincapie explained. "My goals come a little later in the spring too, but we'll certainly have some guys heading there to get results."

US Champion George Hincapie ©TDWSport.com

Wear Hincapie while riding with him

"Definitely a big motivator for next year will be able to race in my own company's clothing," Hincapie explained.

"When we discussed my joining the team, it was certainly something that I wanted to have happen, but I only wanted it if Andy Rihs, Jim Ochowicz and Gavin Chilcott could also be excited about the team using the equipment."

The family tie to the team's clothing sponsor will guarantee the riders' needs will be immediately addressed.

"We have already had a chance to try out the new Hincapie stuff, and it is pretty neat," Jeff Louder confirmed. "Since George is behind the brand that means everything has been very well-thought out. It also means that the team will be directly linked to the company and will be more involved."

Team BMC for the Santos Tour Down Under

The BMC Racing Team line up for the 2010 Santos Tour Down Under will be led by Team Manager, John Lelangue (BEL) and includes riders:

• Cadel Evans (AUS)
• George Hincapie (USA)
• Karsten Kroon (NED)
• Danilo Wyss (SUI)
• Alexander Kristoff (NOR)
• Mauro Santambrogio (ITA)
• Thomas Frei (SUI)

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