BMC Racing Team likely to rely on Hincapie and Ballan
Cadel Evans’s preparation for the world road race championships has had to be changed due to his ongoing recovery from injuries sustained in the Tour de France.
The Australian had hoped to participate in the inaugural ProTour events to be held in Canada on September 10th and 12th, namely the Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec and the Grand Prix Cycliste de Montreal. However his BMC Racing Team has today announced that he has scratched those plans due to the broken elbow he suffered last month.
“I am sorry not to be a part of the races in Canada,” he stated. “I am guessing they will be good lead-up races to the world championships, and grow to be important events in the future. I will have to wait for another year.”
He has not indicated what races he will do. Paris-Bruxelles and the GP Wallonie are two possible alternatives on his programme, but his schedule won’t be confirmed until closer to those races.
Last year he rode the Vuelta a España prior to winning the world title in Mendrisio, Switzerland. However BMC Racing didn’t apply to be part of the Grand Tour this year, reasoning that riding two Grand Tours would be sufficient in its first season at this level.
Even if the team had secured its entry into the Spanish tour, it is unlikely that Evans would have ridden due to his injuries and also because he has ridden both the Giro and the Tour this year. Few riders even consider riding three Grand Tours due to the demand it places on the body, although Cervélo’s Carlos Sastre is expected to once again do the treble this season.
Despite Evans’s absence, the BMC Racing Team will field squads for both races. It is expected that George Hincapie will be keen to take part as they should suit his characteristics. Former world champion Alessandro Ballan is another who should be making the trip, and who could thrive on the tough terrain.
More details of the lineup will be released closer to the races.
Evans was this week confirmed as being part of the long-list for the Australian world championship squad. He is listed for both the time trial and road race, although he has said that he is likely to play a supporting role in the latter due to the fact that the course is not likely to be tough enough for him. Instead, team-mates such as Heinrich Haussler, Simon Gerrans and perhaps Robbie McEwen should be amongst those contending for medals.
The Grand Prix Cycliste de Québec will take place on Friday September 10th, using a circuit which winds through the centre of old Québec city and the nearby Parc des Champs du Bataille. It will total 189 kilometres and will include 3000 metres of climbing, guaranteeing plenty of action.
It will be followed two days later by the Grand Prix de Montréal, which will use much of the same circuit where Eddy Merckx won the world road race championship title in 1974. The 193.6 kilometre event will pass repeatedly through the spectacular Parc du Mont-Royal and, with 2600 metres of climbing, will again suit an aggressive Classics specialist.