The WorldTour season finally got underway today with the opening stage of the Tour Down Under from Prospect to Lobethal. With an almost inevitable bunch sprint, BMC Racing decided not to get anyone in the break and sat tight in the peloton, hoping to save energy for the tougher stages ahead.
Unfortunately, there was a huge crash near the end, which brought about some very early withdrawals, and some big names also lost time, including Chavanel, Martens and Gallopin. BMC managed to get all seven guys through unscathed, making us one lucky team.
Blythe didn't go for the sprint as he just didn't feel he had the legs today but hopefully we will see more from the team in the tougher stages. At the front, young Frenchman Demare took the win for FDJ, narrowly ahead of debutant Riquelme and Kristoff. Cummings brought the team home way down but safely in the peloton.
Results - Stage 1
1
Arnaud Demare
FDJ.fr
3h06'34
2
Jorge Cristobal Riquelme
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
s.t.
4
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
6
Adrien Hanzen
Sky Procycling
s.t.
7
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
8
Nicklas Stromberg
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
9
Elia Viviani
Cannondale Pro Cycling
s.t.
10
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
...
56
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
70
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
75
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
92
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
98
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
99
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
105
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
Stage 2
The second stage of the Tour Down Under was a tougher affair than yesterday's opener, from Mt Barker to Rostrevor. The stage concluded with the steep climb of Mount Corkscrew.
After a poor start, BMC once again missed out on the breakaway, which consisted of Cordeel, Nys and Golas. However, later in the stage, Oss, along with Voss, Flecha and Gallopin got away from the peloton and tried to stay away until the final climb but FDJ were relentless as they sought to defend Demare's gold jersey.
After this, the road went uphill but BMC's day went downhill. Cummings crashed on his own but was okay to continue and finish the stage. Meanwhile, Oss had used too much energy in his earlier attack and could not hold on to the lead group over the climb, finishing on his own, over two minutes back on stage winner Jungels (RLT).
Results - Stage 2
1
Bob Jungels
RadioShack - Leopard
2h38'19
2
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 33
3
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
4
Ramunas Navardauskas
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
5
Sylvain Chavanel
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
7
Arnaud Demare
FDJ.fr
s.t.
8
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
s.t.
9
Serge Pauwels
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Egoi MartÃnez
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
...
66
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'17
92
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
+ 2'40
95
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
103
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
105
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
121
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
132
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
Stage 3
The Tour Down Under hit the halfway stage today with a tough, undulating stage from Unley to Stirling. After a quiet start, BMC finally got a rider into the breakaway as Schär joined Offredo, Van Hecke, Teklehaimanot and Dyachenko in the lead group.
Despite building up a five and a half minute lead on the peloton, this group were quickly reeled back in and were engulfed by the peloton with three kilometres to go. A good effort from Michael but we will have to try another day.
With no GC chances, the team took the final kilometres easy, comfortably finishing in the bunch, which surprisingly came in all at the same time. Belgian Gianni Meersman took the win for OPQS, ahead of Hanzen and Wegmann. Schär led the team home in 77th.
The Tour Down Under went back to the flat today with a stage for the sprinters. Wind was the main obstacle for the peloton, with echelons forming at points, which eventually caused a big split, just 109 riders coming home in the peloton.
However, BMC had a relatively good day, with all seven riders staying in the main group and Daniel Oss once again going on the attack, this time on his own. After attacking from the peloton with over thirty kilometres to go, the Italian battled like crazy in the strong winds to try to bring the team our first win of the season but was caught with just five kilometres to go. Heartbreaking but a great effort nevertheless.
We may still be nowhere near the GC battle but the team, or Oss to be precise, is showing a lot of fight Down Under.
Results - Stage 4
1
Alexander Kristoff
Katusha Team
2h47'52
2
John Degenkolb
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
3
Jorge Cristobal Riquelme
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
4
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Bernhard Eisel
Sky Procycling
s.t.
6
Adrien Hanzen
Sky Procycling
s.t.
7
Robert Hunter
Garmin - Sharp
s.t.
8
Matthew Hayman
Sky Procycling
s.t.
9
Daryl Impey
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
10
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
s.t.
...
51
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
82
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
86
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
88
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
93
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
98
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
109
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
Stage 5
Old Willunga Hill was the destination for the peloton as the Tour Down Under hit the penultimate stage. With the final climb not really suiting any of BMC's riders, Michael Schär was one of the first to attack right at the very start as we sought to make the race difficult.
And it was. Ten riders in the breakaway plus yet more wind meant that the pace was relentless and several riders were put in difficulty on the flat. Unfortunately, the breakaway stood no chance because of this and Schär was back in the pack even before the first ascent of Willunga.
Afterwards, the racing calmed down until the final climb, with Dani Moreno unsurprisingly dancing up the hill to take the stage win. However, a lot more surprising was the fact that Meersman was able to follow the Spaniard's attack and take the GC lead by the narrowest of margins. Oss was BMC's best finisher, in a small group with Demare and Tiernan-Locke, just over a minute and a half down, in 36th.
Results - Stage 5
1
Daniel Moreno
Katusha Team
3h17'45
2
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
3
Sergio Henao
Sky Procycling
s.t.
4
Gianni Meersman
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
+ 16
6
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 25
7
Jorge Cristobal Riquelme
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
8
Fabian Wegmann
Garmin - Sharp
+ 36
9
Arthur Vichot
FDJ.fr
s.t.
10
Michael Rogers
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
...
36
Daniel Oss
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'31
58
Stephen Cummings
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'45
74
Yannick Eijssen
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
85
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
95
Danilo Wyss
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
100
Adam Blythe
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
143
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'58
Stage 6
The Tour Down Under concluded today with the traditional criterium around Adelaide. With the stage being almost completely flat, everyone was waiting for the final sprint. Well, apart from the seven riders who got into the breakaway that is.
However, these seven stood no chance as the sprinter's teams reeled them back in. Sky then took control, trying to give their man Hanzen a stage win. Unfortunately for them, Kristoff of Katusha was sat firmly on the young Brit's wheel the whole way and easily took the sprint win. Meersman defended his lead to take the overall for Omega Pharma - Quick-Step and give them the perfect start to the season.
BMC, meanwhile, had another poor day, with the highlight being Adam Blythe's lowly 84th place finish. Oss was the best finisher overall, way down in 58th position. We hope for much better in Qatar.
With the Tour Down Under nearing completion and BMC in no other races in January, attention will soon shift to February and the Middle East. Both Qatar and Oman are six-day races through the desert but they are very different races indeed. BMC can now reveal the teams they will be sending to these two races.
The Tour of Qatar is the first preparation for the classics team with nothing but flat, straight roads and lots of wind expected. It may be time to put it in the gutter and practise some echelons. With that in mind, BMC will be sending some of our classics riders, with some TT men thrown in for the TTT, which we really hope to win.
Alessandro Ballan Brent Bookwalter Marcus Burghardt Thor Hushovd Martin Kohler Taylor Phinney Marco Pinotti Greg Van Avermaet
The Tour of Oman, meanwhile, isn't quite as straight forward, with a big mountain test on stage four. The ascent of Jabal al Akhdar, or Green Mountain, will almost certainly decide the GC, but some tough hills on stage five, as well as difficult finishes on stages two and three will test the climbing legs. Aussie Cadel Evans starts his season here hoping for a strong performance.
Cadel Evans Sebastian Lander Klaas Lodewyck Steve Morabito Jeremy Powers Larry Warbasse
We at RadioShack are looking forward to competing against BMC at the upcoming tour of Qatar. Cancellara, Devolder and Rast will be looking forward to the flat roads and high speeds and are hoping that BMC are up for the race.
The Tour of Qatar got underway with a typical pancake-flat stage to Doha Golf Club. BMC helped to control the large breakaway but left the sprinters' teams, Omega Pharma, Orica and Argos to do the bulk of the chasing. The escapees were easily brought back and attention turned to the first of surely five bunch sprints this week.
Despite his team completely letting him down, Mark Cavendish did what he does best and took the win, ahead of Kittel, Nizzolo, Goss and Boonen. Thor Hushovd came home 13th, just ahead of Van Avermaet as BMC had a relaxed start ahead of tomorrow's all-important Team Time Trial.
Results - Stage 1
1
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
2h58'11
2
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
3
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
4
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
5
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
6
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
7
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
8
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
9
Mario Guido
MTN - Qhubeka
s.t.
10
Fabian Brookes
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
...
13
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
15
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
22
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
29
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
55
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
60
Marco Pinotti
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
70
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
97
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
Stage 2
The eleven kilometre TTT around Lusail took place today with BMC hoping for a great performance to give us a chance of winning the race. Despite being pre-race favourites, it just wasn't to be for BMC as Hushovd, Phinney, Ballan, Pinotti and Burghardt brought the team home, stopping the clock on 14'37.
This was then immediately beaten by a Cancellara-powered Radioshack, destroying any chance of a win. As it was, Omega Pharma QuickStep won the stage, beating Orica GreenEdge by four whole seconds, putting Cavendish in a surely unassailable position here. Italian team Lampre also surprisingly beat BMC, setting the same time as Orica. All in all, a very disappointing day for BMC as we ended up fifth but just three seconds off second.
Results - Stage 2
1
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step Cycling Team
14'30
2
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 4
3
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
4
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 5
5
BMC Racing Team
+ 7
6
MTN - Qhubeka
+ 11
7
RusVelo
+ 27
8
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
9
Katusha Team
s.t.
10
Accent Jobs - Wanty
+ 31
Stage 3
The third stage in Qatar was once again completely flat and Omega Pharma QuickStep took control with their phenomenally strong rouleurs. With crosswinds throughout the stage, the pace was relentless and major problems were caused and lots of riders were caught behind. Unfortunately for BMC, Hushovd and Van Avermaet were dropped early on and lost lots of time, ending their GC hopes, along with Kohler.
Near the end, another split occurred, catching Pinotti and Bookwalter out aswell, as they finished one and a half minutes down. Eventually, on a ferociously quick leadout, five riders broke away and contested the stage win. Kittel just beat Cavendish on the line, with Goss, Nizzolo and Boonen also finishing ahead of the rest.
Thirty seconds back, Brookes of Bardiani Valvole won the sprint for sixth, with Phinney BMC's best placed rider in ninth. Ballan and Burghardt also kept themselves in contention by staying in this main group but it will take something remarkable to beat Omega Pharma here. Off to the ice baths!
Results - Stage 3
1
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
3h05'18
2
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
3
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
4
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
5
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
6
Fabian Brookes
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
+ 27
7
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
8
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
9
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
10
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM
s.t.
...
14
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
16
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
35
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
+ 1'37
83
Marco Pinotti
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
104
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 5'55
105
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
128
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
Stage 4
Another standard day at the Tour of Qatar with flat roads, desert and searing heat. However, the wind was much calmer than yesterday, allowing for a much more relaxed stage.
The breakaway went, the breakaway got brought back and then OPQS destroyed everyone in the sprint, Cavendish once again proving too strong for Kittel and Goss. BMC, and in particular, Thor Hushovd, had a much better day and with the help of Phinney and Van Avermaet, the Norwegian was able to claim a solid sixth in the sprint finish.
Two stages to go and Phinney, Ballan and Burghardt are still placed just outside the top ten. Can one of them gain the seconds needed to move themselves up?
Results - Stage 4
1
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
3h04'06
2
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
3
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
4
Giacomo Nizzolo
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
5
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
6
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
7
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
8
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
9
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
10
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
...
17
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
19
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
25
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
73
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
81
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
114
Marco Pinotti
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
123
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
Stage 5
Another standard day in Qatar as the early breakaway was brought back by the OPQS juggernaut before unleashing the Manx Missile to another win, again just ahead of Goss and Kittel.
Hushovd couldn't match his strong result of yesterday but still just clinched a top ten finish, with Phinney finishing just behind him in 14th. Everybody finished together, meaning that, as we head into the final stage, BMC have Phinney, Ballan and Burghardt all just outside the top ten. But anything other than a Cavendish win tomorrow looks unlikely.
Results - Stage 5
1
Mark Cavendish
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
3h28'30
2
Matthew Goss
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
3
Marcel Kittel
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
4
Barry Markus
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Bryan Coquard
Team Europcar
s.t.
6
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
7
Fabian Brookes
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
s.t.
8
Ramon Sinkeldam
Team Argos - Shimano
s.t.
9
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
Lampre - Merida
s.t.
10
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
...
14
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
18
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
22
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
58
Brent Bookwalter
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
66
Martin Kohler
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
111
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
125
Marco Pinotti
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
Stage 6
The concluding stage in Qatar was slightly different because Omega Pharma QuickStep didn't dominate, Goss taking the win ahead of Nizzolo and Kittel. Cav was back in fourth but still easily took the overall victory. Hushovd once again came sixth as he proved he can still just about compete in flat bunch sprints.
Our best finisher overall was young American Taylor Phinney, who moved up a place to fourteenth thanks to Roulston losing time. Van Avermaet was also involved in a crash but made it to the end and doesn't look too badly injured. Unfortunately, the organisers had a computer error which really has made getting the results a lot harder than usual but Phinney and Ballan are 14th and 15th, whilst Burghardt unfortunately lost time today and drops out of the top twenty.
Next up for us is Oman, where Cadel Evans goes for the win.Edited by brewers90 on 13-11-2013 15:15
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is one of the hardest cobbled races of the year with lots of infamous Flandrian "hellingen", which means only the strongest will have a chance of taking the win. We send our full strength team here, hoping to get some practice in for the WT races in a month's time. World Champion Philippe Gilbert makes his season debut here.
Alessandro Ballan Marcus Burghardt Philippe Gilbert Thor Hushovd Taylor Phinney Manuel Quinziato Michael Schär Greg Van Avermaet
The next day, focus shifts to Switzerland as BMC return to home soil. The GP di Lugano has a fair amount of climbing in it but the organisers still count it as flat, so it has the potential to end in a bunch sprint. We hope not and we will have to be very aggressive. We have a lot more riders starting their season here and young American Jordan Lewis will be making his pro debut.
Yannick Eijssen Matthias Frank Martin Kohler Jordan Lewis Steve Morabito Dominik Nerz Ivan Santaromita Danilo Wyss
The team's first race in March is our next sponsor goal, Strade Bianche. The Italian gravel roads are always a highlight of the season for many people as dust gets thrown up everywhere. With the sponsors wanting a top five, we send a strong team with an Italian core as the likes of Ballan and Santaromita will try to net us the required result.
Alessandro Ballan Stephen Cummings Martin Kohler Daniel Oss Marco Pinotti Manuel Quinziato Ivan Santaromita Larry Warbasse
With Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico just around the corner, it's time for the team to start performing.
Manager of Bunzl - Centrica
ICL's World Tour Champions and Talented Bottlers
The first proper classic of the season was raced today, with the Belgian cobbled race, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. BMC sent very nearly our strongest classics team with Oss the only rider missing out, so Ballan, Van Avermaet, Gilbert and Phinney were all present.
After a big breakaway got away, Phinney went on the attack with the likes of Boasson Hagen and Turgot as they tried to catch the leaders by surprise. But they went too early and were caught comfortably before the end. Ballan and Van Avermaet had had some problems earlier on, having been dropped by the lead group, but they bith made it back before the end. Unfortunately, Ballan was too tired to try one of his trademark attacks but the important races for him come at the end of March and early April.
So it came down to a sprint and there was no surprise that Boonen won for Omega Pharma but the battle behind was intense. Young talents McDermott and Khamse Khamphan rounded out the podium but Phinney took a brilliant fifth place despite being surprisingly outsprinted by Boom of Belkin. Van Avermaet had to settle for 14th but was less than a bike length behind Phinney, that's how close it was. Ballan was 18th and Gilbert 27th. All in all, a great start to the team's important classics campaign.
Results
1
Tom Boonen
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
5h15'01
2
Erik McDermott
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
3
Lue Khamse Khamphan
Team Europcar
s.t.
4
Lars Boom
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
5
Taylor Phinney
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
6
Sep Vanmarcke
Belkin Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
7
Fabian Cancellara
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
8
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Sky Procycling
s.t.
9
Zdenek Stybar
Omega Pharma - Quick·Step
s.t.
10
Jürgen Roelandts
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
...
14
Greg Van Avermaet
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
18
Alessandro Ballan
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
27
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
+ 4'57"
57
Thor Hushovd
BMC Racing Team
+ 9'29"
85
Marcus Burghardt
BMC Racing Team
s.t.
103
Manuel Quinziato
BMC Racing Team
+ 11'23
110
Michael Schär
BMC Racing Team
+ 13'29
Manager of Bunzl - Centrica
ICL's World Tour Champions and Talented Bottlers
BMC returned to home soil for the first Swiss race of the season, the GP di Lugano. The race was counted as flat by the organisers but with a tough climb just a few kilometres from the end, there was always a chance for a late attacker. However, nobody expected the early breakaway of six riders to do anything today. After all, it's a one-day race, so the break has no chance, right?
Nobody told this brave sextet, who worked together brilliantly to reach the final climb still ahead and, after the ever-aggressive Riblon joined them from the peloton, they were never going to be brought back. Surprisingly, the Frenchman couldn't finish off his good work as the noted sprinter Karpets took the win for Movistar! Two of the breakaway members were dropped on the final climb, so the battle in the bunch was for sixth place.
And, thankfully, BMC's poor day was rescued by the fast-finishing Danilo Wyss, the local rider having too much power for the rest of the main bunch. Santaromita and Frank also finished in this group of 47 riders but have to be disappointed with their lack of ambition. Frank, in particular, would have been very difficult to catch had he gone on the attack on the climb but it wasn't to be. Debutant Jordan Lewis came home in the "second peloton", in 66th.
Arnaud Demare
Jorge Cristobal Riquelme
Alexander Kristoff
Gianni Meersman
Michael Matthews
Adrien Hanzen
John Degenkolb
Nicklas Stromberg
Elia Viviani
Daryl Impey
Michael Schär
Bob Jungels
Igor Antón
Ramunas Navardauskas
Sergio Henao
Bernhard Eisel
Brent Bookwalter
Sebastian Lander
Ariel Maximiliano Richeze
RusVelo
Team Argos - Shimano
Lue Khamse Khamphan
Zdenek Stybar
Andrey Amador
