Former rider to bring British Cycling under-23 academy experience to coach team's younger riders
As part of its expansion in a bid to gain ProTeam status for 2011, the BMC Racing Team has hired Max Sciandri as an assistant director. Since retiring from racing in 2004, the Tour de France stage winner has been working with British Cycling as head coach of the Under-23 Men’s Endurance Academy, based in Quarrata, Italy. He has also had a role with Team Sky this season, through its links with British Cycling.
The decision to leave his job with British Cycling and join the US-registered team had a lot to do with rekindling his relationship with team president Jim Ochowicz.
"I spent three years with Jim when I was riding with Motorola," said Sciandri. "He's clear, honest, correct and professional. Cycling needs a few more people like him to get things sorted out."
The Italian-born Sciandri, who won the bronze medal for Great Britain in the road race of the Atlanta Olympics in 1996, has also been impressed with the equipment that his new team uses, as well as the way it has conducted itself in it’s first year in the big time.
"The bikes that BMC makes are uniquely designed,” he said, “with a clear concept of quality and performance. I also like the way the team has come out quietly – not shouting things out that they are going to do."
Sciandri’s experience in developing young British riders will be put to good use at BMC Racing, the team of 2009 World champion Cadel Evans, 2008 World champion Alessandro Ballan, and multiple US champion George Hincapie.
"He'll be working with our younger riders, while scouting for potential new signings that are coming out of the international pool of Under 23 athletes," said Ochowicz.
"He will have a really big mission,” concurred directeur sportif John Lelangue, “first taking care of the younger guys on the team by overseeing their direction.
"He will also take time to go to the Under 23 races and make contact with national coaches and club coaches and young riders. He'll tell us about the guys we should be hiring. We've always been looking to new talent and to the future."
As part of its aim for developing younger riders, BMC Racing has signed both Taylor Phinney and Timothy Roe from Trek-Livestrong, as well as a host of other riders to support its ProTeam application.