Bookwalter, Morabito and Hermans amongst riders selected for first WorldTour race of 2014

With Cadel Evans set to lead the BMC Racing Team at the Santos Tour Down Under next month, the 2011 Tour de France winner has been given a strong backup squad to help him achieve the best possible result.



Evans has said that he will target the Giro d’Italia rather than the Tour de France next season and as a result, will be trying to hit form earlier in the year.



That should ensure that he is in good shape in the Santos Tour Down Under and his natural abilities, as well as a selective course, could put him in the frame for a high overall finish.



“It will be a pretty difficult race for one at the beginning of the season. Stages one, two and three are hard, so it will be important to start well,” said the BMC Racing Team’s directeur sportif Fabio Baldato. “It’s important to have a strong rider who is prepared for the race. In Cadel, we have the best rider to make a result.”



Evans will have the backing of six strong team-mates, including the American rider Brent Bookwalter, who had the best year of his career in 2013. He won a stage and finished second overall in the Tour of Qatar, was second in both the US national road race and time trial championship, and also second overall in the Tour of Alberta.



Also on the team will be the strong Swiss rider Steve Morabito, a past stage winner in the Tour de Suisse, his compatriot Danilo Wyss, the newly-signed Belgian Ben Hermans, France’s Amael Moinard and Rick Zabel, the son of multiple Tour de France green jersey winner Erik Zabel.



BMC Racing Team President and General Manager Jim Ochowicz said that the team would be aiming for a good result. “We look forward to the challenge in 2014 as Cadel will back with the rest of team in the heat of the battle.”



Evans is nearing the end of his career and while the Giro is his big focus, he knows that his chances of riding strongly in the Tour Down Under are dwindling. If he does want to try to win overall or to finish highly, the upcoming season may be his best chance of doing that.



According to the Santos Tour Down Under race director Mike Turtur, the team is one of the top draws for the event. Evans’ place on it will heighten that.



“Cadel has his sights set on victory at the Giro d’Italia in 2014 and will be keen to start the season well and build towards this goal,” Mr Turtur said. “BMC Racing Team is one of the best-known teams competing at the Santos Tour Down Under and riders are sure to receive a warm welcome as they travel around South Australia.”



Although it will be preceded by the People’s Choice Classic, the race proper will begin on Tuesday January 21st with a 135 kilometre race from Nuriootpa to Angaston. Five more stages will follow, and Turtur believes that it will be sufficiently tough for the big guns to make a difference.



“The 2014 Santos Tour Down Under will revisit popular destinations such as Menglers Hill and Willunga Hill, along with featuring a spread of new challenges,” he said. “I’m sure we will see strong performances from all of the BMC Racing Team riders competing, plus plenty of passion from fans excited to have Cadel Evans back racing on home soil.”



BMC Racing Team for Santos Tour Down Under:



Brent Bookwalter (USA)

Cadel Evans (AUS)

Ben Hermans (BEL)

Amael Moinard (FRA)

Steve Morabito (SUI)

Danilo Wyss (SUI)

Rick Zabel (GER)





Stage details:



Sunday 19 January People’s Choice Classic, Adelaide (50km)

Monday 20 January Rest day

Tuesday 21 January Stage 1, Nuriootpa to Angaston (135km)

Wednesday 22 January BikeExchange.com.au Stage 2, Prospect to Stirling (150km)

Thursday 23 January Stage 3, Norwood to Campbelltown (145km)

Friday 24 January Bupa Stage 4, Unley to Victor Harbor (148.5km)

Saturday 25 January Stage 5, McLaren Vale to Willunga Hill (151.5km)

Sunday 26 January Stage 6, Adelaide (95km)