Former pro and past T-Mobile and HTC Highroad director sportif Valerio Piva has been confirmed as the newest signing for the BMC Racing Team, with the Italian coming on board as a directeur sportif.
Currently working with the Katusha team, Piva’s signing is part of a rejigging which is taking place after the departure of the Belgian John Lelangue in July.
Lelangue had been the BMC Racing Team’s most senior directeur sportif, but left after a disappointing team performance at the Tour de France.
“We are excited to have Valerio joining our group of directeurs sportifs for next season,” said team president and general manager Jim Ochowicz. “His many years in the sport will add another layer of expertise to the team that will be a direct benefit to our riders.”
Piva’s experience is not only as a directeur sportif, but also as a former pro. He raced at that level for ten years and was part of the victorious team time trial squad on the opening stage of the 1983 Giro. He was also second in the Trofeo Laigueglia in 1987.
He said the fact that the team has guaranteed funding for several seasons – and thus more stability – was an important point when making his decision to come on board.
“For me, it is more interesting to have a long-term project,” he explained. “The last two years I worked for Katusha, where I had a very good experience and result. But I want to be in a team which has the same vision as me.
“In the BMC Racing Team, you also have very strong and very nice riders. I know a lot of these guys. For example, I worked with Tejay van Garderen at HTC. So for me, it's very exciting to work with a top team.”