Team News – BMC at the Tour of Britain

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Mixed fortunes for BMC on the weekend with a podium after losing three key riders on stage 7

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Team News – BMC at the Tour of Britain

Wyss ‘Most Aggressive’ in Tour of Britain finale whilst Gerts And Teuns Recovering after crash on stage 7

Swiss national road champion Danilo Wyss of the BMC Racing Team earned “most aggressive rider” honors on Sunday’s final stage of the Aviva Tour of Britain. After riding as part of the day’s breakaway during the 86.8-kilometer race, Wyss made a last-ditch effort to stay away with an attack on the second-to-last lap. But he was caught as the final 6.2-km circuit began.

Wyss

“When I saw it was a technical course, I knew it would be easier in the front. That is why I tried so hard to be in the breakaway,” Wyss said. “I was surprised I had fresh legs and was feeling really good today.”

Stefan Küng and Wyss were the only two of the BMC Racing Team’s original six riders to finish the race. A crash Saturday knocked out Dylan Teuns – who had been sitting fifth overall – and Floris Gerts. Taylor Phinney did not start Saturday’s stage to rest up for the world road championships and Rick Zabel withdrew due to sickness during Stage 1.

The crash with Gerts and Teuns happened as the race diverted onto a runway at Wattisham Airfield for an intermediate sprint in the 224.1-kilometer race, the longest of the eight-day event.

“I hit a hole and lost hold of my handlebars because it was a really big hole,” Teuns said. “I totally lost control so I did not have a chance. I just went to the ground.” Teuns landed on his head, as did Gerts, BMC Racing Team Dr. Scott Major said.

“Because of the concern about a head injury, we took them to the hospital as a precaution,” Dr. Major said. “Neurologically, both riders are fine. But we are going to have them under close observation the next 24 hours.”

Teuns was the more seriously injured of the two with abrasions on his left side and a large gash to his left elbow. X-rays on the elbow were negative, but Teuns did require some stitches to help close the wound, Dr. Major said.

Phinney did not start due to fatigue. “It has been a hard race with long stages and long transfers,” Dr. Major said. “Coming back from such a long layoff and injury and competing in his third straight stage race, we felt it was important for his worlds’ preparation to get some much-needed rest and recovery.”

Stefan Küng, who joins Danilo Wyss as the only two BMC Racing Team riders remaining in the race, also crashed Saturday in a separate incident. But the world individual pursuit champion was not seriously hurt.

BMC Racing Team Sport Director Fabio Baldato said it was unfortunate to lose Teuns – who had been sitting fifth overall – and Gerts, a stagiaire who had been as high as third place overall earlier in the week.

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