09 March, 2016, Lido di Camaiore (ITA)
It was a dream start to Tirreno-Adriatico for BMC Racing Team today, taking home another Team Time Trial victory and putting Daniel Oss in the leader’s jersey.
The team, featuring four of the 2015 UCI World Team Time Trial champions, stopped the clock at 23’55 with an average speed of 56.947km/h, making it the fastest stage in the history of Tirreno-Adriatico. Etixx-Quick-Step finished in second place, two seconds behind and FDJ rounded out the top three, nine seconds back.
A win in the 22,7km TTT was one of the team’s main objectives going into the race, Oss said.
“It’s an amazing feeling. It was the first goal for us here at Tirreno-Adriatico. We have an amazing team here with some great climbers and riders to support Tejay van Garderen for the General Classification.”
“Now we have the jersey but we are here for Tejay. Tomorrow is another day and it looks like a good stage for us with Greg Van Avermaet so hopefully we can continue with this momentum.”
For Tejay van Garderen, today’s win was a perfect way to start the week of racing and his GC ambitions.
“It’s incredible. It’s a great start to the week. We gained time on some rivals for the GC and a nice stage victory so the morale is good,” van Garderen said after the podium ceremony.
“We didn’t really know how close it was. We paced it perfectly and as long as you come out on top you can’t really complain. It’s definitely motivating to have the jersey in the team with Daniel. We also have Jim Ochowicz and Andy Rihs here so it’s great to win in front of them. We’re just excited and happy to go forward.”
BMC Racing Team Sports Director Max Sciandri said today’s stage was another chance for the team to demonstrate their dominance in the TTT.
“Everything went to plan in the TTT today and the riders were excellent in their execution. It was close but a win’s a win and we are really happy,” Sciandri said.
“Going into stage 2 tomorrow and the rest of the race we will be focused on protecting Tejay and going for stage wins when the opportunity presents itself.”
Stage 2 of Tirreno Adriatico is a long one at 207km from Camaiore – Pomarance.
“It’s a pretty tough last 60km tomorrow so it will be a good stage that’s for sure,” Sciandri confirmed.
