Ochowicz: “His future looks bright and his goals run parallel with ours”
Remaining with the team he has been part of since 2011, Taylor Phinney has extended his current contract with the BMC Racing Team and will be part of the squad for the next three seasons.
The talented 23 year old American rider has inked a deal to wear the team’s colours until the end of 2016, thus continuing his development with the squad.
“From the riders, to the staff to the management, it’s a team that is really growing into a great home for me,” he said, confirming the news. “I have a lot of respect for a guy like Andy Rihs [the team sponsor – ed.], who is keeping our team afloat and making sure we are all well taken care of.”
After winning a TT stage in both the Giro d’Italia and the USA Pro Challenge, Phinney finished second in last year’s world championship time trial and has targeted the same race this time round.
He has shown fine form this year, winning a stage of the Tour de Pologne in July and taking third overall plus the best young rider prize in the Tour of Qatar.
He was also third in the Giro di Toscana and seventh in Milan-Sanremo, the latter result suggesting that he can win the biggest Classics in the future.
Team president/general manager Jim Ochowicz made clear that Phinney’s development is a priority for the team. “It is always exciting when a young athlete puts their faith in you as Taylor has done with the BMC Racing Team,” he said. “He continues to develop his skills and gain valuable experience with each season. His future looks bright and his goals run parallel with ours.”
Phinney will target Classics in the years ahead, as well as shorter stage races. He is frank about his limitations in the high mountains, but other events seem well within his scope. He’s twice won the Espoir Paris-Roubaix and the pro event is likely a big ambition.
So too trying to take gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, a motivation fuelled by fourth places in the road race and time trial last year in London. Being part of the team until the end of 2016 will enable him to concentrate on that goal.
“I thought that was quite important,” he said. “The Olympics are a big focus of mine after what I did there last year.”