BMC looks to van Garderen to continue team’s hot streak
American Tejay van Garderen's build toward France begins in earnest on Tuesday, when he tackles the Tour de Romandie as BMC's team leader
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MAASTRICHT, Belgium (VN) — For Tejay van Garderen, the build toward July starts right now. The American is slated to race the Tour de Romandie as team leader, and is charged with continuing the run of success BMC Racing is enjoying this spring.
The team has won two classics thus far with Philippe Gilbert, and Cadel Evans just wrapped up the overall at the Giro del Trentino. Van Garderen has expressly stated he’s out for July redemption this season, and his earnest French campaign will start on Tuesday. He finished 45th overall last year, but fifth the year prior at the sport’s biggest race.
This year, van Garderen has finished second at the Tour of Oman to Chris Froome (Sky) and third at Volta a Catalunya, where he also won a stage.
“I would like to go for as high of overall placing as possible in Romandie,” van Garderen said. “I think the parcours fits my strengths well. After Romandie, I will head to altitude where I will continue my Tour preparations. I think I am right on track.”
The six-day race begins with a 5.6km prologue, touts two major mountain stages and ends May 4 with an 18.5km individual time trial.
“The goal is to make the best possible result with Tejay van Garderen in the general classification, but also to continue the great team spirit,” said sport director Yvon Ledanois. “Why not try to win stages as well, especially to keep the motivation that is already present in the big races?”
BMC roster for Tour de Romandie
Darwin Atapuma (COL)
Silvan Dillier (SUI)
Martin Kohler (SUI)
Dominik Nerz (GER)
Tejay van Garderen (USA)
Peter Velits (SVK)
Larry Warbasse (USA)
Danilo Wyss (SUI)