With an eye to becoming competitive in Grand Tours within the next several years, the second-year Professional Continental BMC Racing Team will take part in the upcoming Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré from June 7-14 in France.
"The Dauphiné is always one of the toughest one week races of the year," said BMC Racing Team directeur sportif John Lelangue. "And looking at the parcours, I think that this year might be more difficult than previous editions; over 50km of time trialling is very unusual for a one week stage race.
"That we have been invited and will be the only non-ProTour team at the race proves that the organizers believe in our riders and our philosophy as much as we do," Lelangue said. "We have selected the most efficient and complete riders that we can take on the roster since we don't just want to participate, but rather we want to impact the race."
Lelangue believes being the only non-ProTour team at the race could be an advantage. "We will have almost a free hand since we don't have to control the race. The teams with the big names like Valverde, Contador and Boonen will have to control the race which means that we can work for ourselves and always be on the offensive."
Lelangue feels he has at least six riders on the team who could emerge as the team leader for the race and finish in the top 10. "We are going to the race confident, without pressure and without a clear leader. We will take the race day by day, and if we can leave the Dauphiné fighting for a place in the top 10, feeling as though we did a good race and that we were always present in the big moves, then I think we will be very happy with our performance."
BMC Racing Team: Markus Zberg, Brent Bookwalter, Mathias Frank, Thomas Frei, Jeff Louder, Ian Mckissick and Alexandre Moos
