Sciandri turns down Italian national coach job

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Fabio Baldato and Max Sciandri are part of BMC's management.(Image credit: Bettini Photo)

Max Sciandri has turned down the “opportunity of a lifetime” as the head coach for the Italian national team, deciding to continue on in his job as sport director for BMC Racing Team. The American-based team announced Sciandri's decision in a press release, saying he wanted to complete the projects with the team which he had already started.

Current coach Paolo Bettini recommended Sciandri, who holds both British and Italian citizenship, for the job. Sciandri originally said that he would take up the role after the Giro d'Italia, where he is one of two BMC sports directors hoping to guide Cadel Evans to the overall win. As commisario technico, Sciandri would have selected the riders for events such as the World Championships and Olympics.

"This was one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make because it was so important to me and it's such an important role for my home country," Sciandri said. "I reached out and touched something that was pretty untouchable for me. But I didn't grab it. I let it go. And that's difficult. But it is only because I am working with a great team that has a tremendous program with a terrific bunch of riders, staff and managers. I am particularly grateful to Jim Ochowicz for allowing me to weigh my options."

Sciandri said that he met personally with Italian Cycling Federation president Renato Di Rocco before the Giro to decline the offer. "It was a tremendous honor to be considered for the job but I told him my passion at the moment is to continue with the development of some of the young guys I am nurturing at the BMC Racing Team," Sciandri said. "I think there's a right time for everything. Unfortunately, the timing at the moment doesn't fall into place with the projects I am already working on that I want to see through to completion."