26 January, 2017, Santa Rosa, California (USA)
BMC Racing Team return to the Dubai Tour with a well-balanced team ready to tackle the now five-day stage race.
Sports Director Max Sciandri said the Dubai Tour, where TAG Heuer will be official timekeeper, will be the first race of the season for all eight riders.
Jempy Drucker, 2016 Vuelta
“This year we are taking a strong and balanced team to the Dubai Tour with riders who can be good on the flat stages and also on the Hatta Dam climb,” Sciandri explained.
“We have Silvan Dillier who finished in fourth place last year, and riders like Jempy Drucker, who will be right up there in sprints. On the Hatta Dam climb guys like Samuel Sanchez and Dylan Teuns will test their legs, and I think we can be confident going into the race.”
Dillier is looking forward to racing again and building on his fourth place in 2016.
“After coming close last year on Hatta Dam, I want to give my best to strive for a win this year. The race for the overall victory gets lost and won by seconds, especially with the time bonuses,” Dillier said.
“With an additional stage where we will probably see another bunch sprint, the overall victory will favor a sprinter, but I’ll try to find a way to get some bonuses as well.”
Dubai Tour (31 January – 4 February)
Rider roster: Silvan Dillier (SUI), Jempy Drucker (LUX), Floris Gerts (NED), Daniel Oss (ITA), Joey Rosskopf (USA), Samuel Sanchez (ESP), Dylan Teuns (BEL), Loïc Vliegen (BEL).
Sports Director: Max Sciandri (ITA)
