Evans’ switch to BMC leaves Tour hopes in the balance
By Julien Pretot
PARIS, Nov 3 (Reuters) - Cadel Evans abandoned Silence Lotto to join BMC Racing Team in a bid to strengthen his claim for a maiden Tour de France victory, but the wheels could fall off the twice runner-up’s challenge before the race even starts.
Although the Australian world road race champion joined a group of experienced and talented riders, the American team’s participation in the 2010 Tour de France remains uncertain.
BMC are a Continental team (second division) while elite ProTour outfits are race organiser ASO’s top priorities when they draw their list of invitees for the Tour.
However, BMC hope the signing of Evans to a three-year contract, former world champion Alessandro Ballan and former Lance Armstrong lieutenant George Hincapie will be enough to prompt ASO to invite them.
“We have a plan to go to the biggest races, including the Grand Tours. That includes the Tour de France. This will be possible since our sporting level has greatly improved in standard,” BMC manager John Lelangue told reporters.
Sixteen teams are already contracted to participate in next year’s tour, while 20 usually start with a further two allowed if the maximum number is reached.
Four teams - Sky, Armstrong’s RadioShack, Garmin and Katusha—will be at the prologue in Rotterdam next July thanks to their ProTour status and because they have already proven they can compete in a three-week event.
ONE SPOT
Cervelo, former champion Carlos Sastre and green jersey winner Thor Hushovd’s team is almost certain to take part, leaving one guaranteed spot up for grabs with three teams vying for it.
BMC are candidates, along with French outfit Saur Sojasun and Dutch team Vacansoleil and although the American team boast two world champions in their ranks, manager John Lelangue’s patchy history with Tour organisers could play against them.
Belgian Lelangue was Phonak team manager when Floyd Landis won the Tour in 2006, only for the American to test positive for testosterone and lose his title.
Phonak was disbanded before resurfacing in 2007 as BMC, with the same owner, Andy Rihs, and Lelangue back at the helm.
Evans, however, is unconcerned by the past events and insists he is looking forward rather than back.
“Rihs comes back with another team and another project with the same goal after that experience shows his enthusiasm and passion for the sport,” Evans told the respected Cycling News website (www.cyclingnews.com).
“He also comes back very carefully and guarded.”
ASO are expected to announce the list of teams taking part in March. (Editing by John O’Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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Team Shack
v.2009: Or is it Team The Shack? God, that would suck. Anyway, I suppose you could argue that it didn't exist, but of course it did, just under a different set of colors. The Bruyneel Model is all about loading up for the grand tours without a shred of restraint. Of course, when you only meaningfully contest one of the three grand tours, despite having enough riders for at least five GT squads, it raises some uncomfortable questions. Like, do Bruyneel and Armstrong have an unhealthy relationship to the Tour de France? Of the I-know-better-but-can't-stop-myself variety? They do, and everyone knows it: you, me, them, even ASO. But hey, it's their money, not mine.
v.2010: It's tempting to just call this the wayback machine version of a Bruyneel team -- everyone but that annoying Contador guy -- but it is worth noting that they should be a presence in a few classics as well, with Vaitkus a B-list cobbles guy along with Steegmans and Rosseler, plus Lance and young gun Ben Hermans in the Ardennes. One wonders where exactly this is going; JB and Lance seem like a one-trick pony, and that trick, along with the ponies, is getting rather old. But I will give them credit: the Trek/Livestrong development team is evidence that they're building for the future, when it's finally time to pack away US Postal for good.
Holiday Wish List: Honestly, I can't think of anything. There are plenty of needs, but I don't know if Bruyneel is interested, and I'm not overly interested if they aren't.
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