Team News: Gilbert & Phinney Anxious For Eneco Tour

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World road champion Philippe Gilbert and Tour de Pologne stage winner Taylor Phinney will lead the BMC Racing Team’s ambitions for the general classification at next week’s Eneco Tour

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World road champion Philippe Gilbert and Tour de Pologne stage winner Taylor Phinney will lead the BMC Racing Team’s ambitions for the general classification at next week’s Eneco Tour of Benelux, Assistant Director Fabio Baldato said.

Gilbert said his past success at Eneco – second overall in 2011 and fourth in 2006 – boosts his confidence, particularly after a break from racing. “I’ve always been good here, so I hope I can have the same results,” Gilbert said.

“It’s been very warm in Monaco since San Sebastián (July 27) so I have had to train in the heat, which has been good. I also got to enjoy two full weeks at home for the first time since December.”

Phinney won the Eneco prologue in 2011 on the way to finishing fourth overall. “I’m very focused on trying to get a good result in the overall,” he said. “Also, I’m targeting the time trial, which unfortunately is a lot shorter – 13 kilometers – than the 37 kilometers we just did in Poland.”

Baldato said those two will be surrounded by a strong team that includes other possible contenders for the general classification. “Daniel Oss is also really in great shape and he was very strong in Wallonie,” Baldato said. “Manuel Quinziato, Marcus Burghardt and other great teammates like Danilo Wyss, Klaas Lodewyck and Amaël Moinard are there to support them.”

Missing from the line-up is the winner of the final stage last year, Alessandro Ballan. Baldato said the past world road champion has been cleared to race after suffering intestinal problems, “but it’s better to not take risks and keep him fresh for some one-day races,” Baldato said. The seven-day race begins Monday.

BMC Racing Team Eneco Tour of Benelux Roster (Aug. 12-18):
Marcus Burghardt (GER), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Klaas Lodewyck (BEL), Amaël Moinard (FRA), Daniel Oss (ITA), Taylor Phinney (USA), Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Danilo Wyss (SUI).

 

 

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