Published June 22, 2013 01:11PM
BMC Racing Team will surround Cadel Evans with a cadre of veterans for the 100th edition of the Tour de France.
Among the Australian’s teammates are six riders who supported Evans during his 2011 Tour victory: Brent Bookwalter, Marcus Burghardt, Amaël Moinard, Steve Morabito, Manuel Quinziato and Michael Schär.
Joining them will be reigning world road champion Philippe Gilbert and last year’s best young rider, Amgen Tour of California winner Tejay van Garderen.
“We have a really strong team and can go to Corsica with a lot of confidence with this team of experienced guys,” said sports director John Lelangue. “They are all in good shape and focused on a sole objective.”
Evans, who will start his ninth Tour de France coming off a third-place finish at the Giro d’Italia last month, said his recovery and training “have progressed well this time as we attempt the Giro-Tour double.”
Evans said the team is even stronger than the 2011 squad.
“I am happy to have my three guardian angels — Quinziato, Burghardt and Schär — around me, plus Brent, Amaël and Steve from our successful 2011 team,” he said. “And with Tejay coming into the mix, we are a lot stronger in the mountains than in past years.”
Van Garderen, who was fifth last year in his second Tour appearance, said repeating as the race’s best young rider is not an objective.
“The white jersey wasn’t a goal of mine last year and it’s not again this year,” he said. “It just came along with me being up there every day, helping Cadel, which is my focus again this year.”
The 100th Tour de France starts June 29 in Corsica.
BMC Racing Team for the 2013 Tour de France
Brent Bookwalter (USA)
Marcus Burghardt (GER)
Cadel Evans (AUS)
Tejay van Garderen (USA)
Philippe Gilbert (BEL)
Amaël Moinard (FRA)
Steve Morabito (SUI)
Manuel Quinziato (ITA)
Michael Schär (SUI)