Top young American talent Taylor Phinney and his BMC Racing Team are yet to officially announce his early season plans but, according to South American media, the rider will begin in the Tour de San Luis in January.
Ciclismo Internacional reports that the race’s organiser has disclosed to the site that the 23 year old will be present, using the eight day event to build his form towards later targets.
A stage winner in both the Giro d’Italia and the USA Pro Challenge in 2012, second in the world time trial championships and fourth in both the Olympic road race and time trial, Phinney had a quieter 2013.
He won stage four of the Tour de Pologne and was third overall in both the Tour of Qatar and the Giro di Toscana, but he didn’t progress as much as he had hoped.
He will be keen to get back on track, with individual time trials and Classics such as Paris Roubaix likely to be amongst his main targets.
Also set to take part in January’s race is the 2004 Giro d’Italia winner Damiano Cunego. He had a quiet year in 2013, even if he won a stage and placed second overall in the Settimana Internazionale di Coppi e Bartali.
His Tour de France placing of 55th was well below his usual level, although he did turn things around somewhat by taking third in the season-ending Japan Cup.
Cunego has been around a long time but is still only 32 years of age. He will be fired up to have a stronger 2014 and being in good shape for the Tour de San Luis would do much for his morale.
The race runs from January 19th to 26th. Other riders expected to take part include Tour de France runner-up Nairo Quintana (Movistar), Giro d’Italia winner Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), world number one Joaquim Rodriguez (Katusha), Tour de France green jersey Peter Sagan (Cannondale Pro Cycling), Mark Cavendish and Tom Boonen (Omega Pharma Quick Step) plus Jurgen van den Broeck and Jelle Vanendert (Lotto Belisol).