Must Read: Who will support Cadel Evans on BMC?
Cadel Evans plans to ride both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France this year
Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.
BMC Racing has 26 riders on its squad, but some folks are questioning if any of them are capable of delivering Cadel Evans to the winner’s circle at next month’s Giro d’Italia.
In an article that appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, the question of whether or not Evans has enough support to win another grand tour is raised.
Only two of the nine riders have confirmed their spots on the Giro roster — Evans, the 2011 Tour de France champion, and American Taylor Phinney. The remainder of the team is expected to be determined in the coming days, as the Giro del Trentino finished on Friday.
A larger question that is raised is this: Evans can handle the Giro-Tour de France double, but can his teammates? After a three-week race through Italy, can BMC come up with seven riders that are strong enough to support Evans at the Tour, which starts just over a month after the conclusion of the Giro?
American Tejay van Garderen is a sure bet to be on the Tour roster, as he won the best young rider jersey at the 2012 race while finishing fifth overall (Evans was seventh). That leaves seven open spots for the June 29-July 21 race.