Team yet to decide if American talent will make elite race debut
According to the BMC Racing Team, there is a still a chance that Taylor Phinney could start this weekend’s Paris-Roubaix Classic. The 20 year old’s first professional season has been hampered by injury during the winter. A problem in his right knee delayed his start to the season until the Tour of Oman. He then suffered a concussion during a crash while training in February, which further caused him to miss a few days on the bike.
The latest injury was a pain in his left knee which saw him withdraw on stage 3 of the Volta a Catalunya.
However, according to BMC Racing Team Chief Medical Officer Dr. Max Testa, Phinney could make a return to racing this weekend. “Taylor is training and his knee is healthy enough that he is still in consideration for Paris-Roubaix,” he said on Sunday.
Fans will have to wait a few days to see whether one of the most talked about neo pros will feature in this years Hell of the North. BMC Racing Team director John Lelangue said the decision on whether he will start will come later in the week.
The young American is regarded as a future star for the northern Classic and has twice won the under 23 version of the race. His addition will be a boost for the BMC Racing Team who were ever-present during last weekend’s Tour of Flanders, where leaders George Hincapie and Alessandro Ballan finished 6th and 12th respectively.
Phinney is regarded as one of the most promising young American riders.