Following the victory of Cadel Evans in Tirreno-Adriatico, a motivated BMC Racing Team will line out in Milan-Sanremo tomorrow determined to play a major part in the race.
The Australian will not take part in the Classic, preferring instead to compete in the Volta a Catalunya, but another former world road race champion will head the team.
Alessandro Ballan will be one of four designated protected riders, along with respected US Pro George Hincapie, double Tour de Suisse stage winner Marcus Burghardt and promising Belgian Greg Van Avermaet.
Ivan Santaromita is a late addition, replacing an ill Manuel Quinziato. The team is completed by another strong one day rider, Karsten Kroon, plus Michael Schär and Danilo Wyss.
Burghardt said that the team was psyched after Tirreno. “Victories are always important for the sponsors and for the team and it's really good for the motivation. To have such a nice win so early in the season is motivation for the whole season.”
Directeur sportif Fabio Baldato acknowledged that there is no one stand-alone favourite on the team, but said that its collective strength would make it a force in the event.
“We might not have the strongest rider in the race, but we have one of the best teams. That makes it possible to do something special.”
Milan-Sanremo is the first of cycling’s Classics and will see the riders cover a staggering 298 kilometres. They will scale a number of climbs including the famous Cipressa and Poggio ascents, then drop down a serpentine descent to the finish.