The BMC Racing Team is using the days leading up to the Santos Tour Down Under to perform reconnaissance on several stages of the race, while also enjoying favorable weather in South Australia.
The six-stage, 854-kilometer WorldTour calendar opener begins Tuesday. But Sunday’s 51 km pre-race criterium in Adelaide should provide the BMC Racing Team an opportunity to showcase one of its new riders, Assistant Director Rik Verbrugghe said.
“With the criterium, we’ll work for Adam Blythe to try to do something,” Verbrugghe said. “For the race itself, our goal is to get our main riders in the top 10 on the general classification.” Wednesday, the team’s seven riders scouted out the 148 km, second stage from Lobethal to Stirling. On Friday, the BMC Racing Team will ride the 51 km, Stage 5 route that that finishes up Old Willunga Hill. “It was good to see some of the stages,” Marcus Burghardt said. “This year, I’m not having as much trouble with the jet lag and it’s also good that it’s not so hot here. So it’s been easier to adapt.”
Adam Blythe.
BMC Racing Team Santos Tour Down Under Roster (Jan. 17-22):
Alessandro Ballan (ITA), Adam Blythe (GBR), Marcus Burghardt (GER), Mathias Frank (SUI), Martin Kohler (SUI), Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL).
Sport Director: Rik Verbrugghe (BEL)
