Talented young American rider Taylor Phinney has confirmed that he will make his pro debut with the BMC Racing Team in the upcoming Tour of Oman.
The 20 year old multiple world champion missed his scheduled start in the Tour of Qatar due to knee issues. He said that he had simply done too much, too soon, over the winter, getting carried away with the thoughts of getting fit for his first season with the BMC Racing Team.
Fortunately missing Qatar has given him the time necessary to rectify the problem, and he’s now raring to go. “I am very happy to report that I will be getting the opportunity to race the Tour of Oman after all!,” he announced on his blog several minutes ago. “After having to sit out BMC team camp due to some tendonitis behind my knee, I was very worried that I would have to seriously delay the start of my season. However, with some great support from my BMC directors and team doctors, I was able to heal up and get back on the bike quicker than I had anticipated. The past week I have spent getting my legs back up to speed and I am confident that the injury has subsided enough that I am able to race.”
Phinney, the son of former Tour de France stage winner Davis Phinney and Olympic gold medallist Connie Carpenter, rode the Tour of Qatar last year while with the Trek-Livestrong under 23 team. He said that the race suits his characteristics and because of that, he had hoped to go back. He’ll instead get to experience a slightly hillier kind of racing at the Tour of Oman, which he missed last year due to his training for the track worlds.
“I have heard only great things about the race in Oman and am very excited to kick off the season at a race that will suit me well,” he said. “I am still on the mend, and am expecting some solid racing experience with my new team, BMC.”
What Phinney might lack in racing fitness, he’ll likely make up for with enthusiasm. He’s impressed on many occasions in the past, not least his win in the under 23 world time trial championships last autumn, and will aim to race well. “I can’t wait to get out there and knock it up with my boys,” he said. “My roommate from team camp, Greg Van Avermaet sent me an email today, telling me he is excited I will that we will be racing along side each other after all.”
The Tour of Oman runs from February 15 – 20. Fabian Cancellara won the 2.1-ranked event last year.