Former professional cyclist-turned-director Allan Peiper will manage a new division of the BMC Racing Team, President/General Manager Jim Ochowicz announced Wednesday. As the team’s performance director, Peiper will oversee equipment testing, training data, wind tunnel testing, velodrome testing, altitude/training camps, race reconnaissance and rider nutritional needs.
Priority On Performance
Working in conjunction with BMC Racing Team Directeur Sportif John Lelangue, Ochowicz said Peiper will build on the success of 2012 that saw Philippe Gilbert win the world road title, Taylor Phinney earn the silver medal in the world time trial and the team capture stages at two of the three grand tours while placing Tejay van Garderen (fifth) and Cadel Evans (seventh) in the top 10 at the Tour de France. “This is an important new role that we have identified and one that will be crucial to our success going forward,” Ochowicz said. “We’re putting a priority on performance and Allan is the right person to lead us in that direction. We also know that he will bring team spirit to the BMC Racing Team that he had during his own racing days and those as a sports director.
Big Challenge
Peiper said his primary goal will be to coordinate all the vital factors that go into a 10-month season comprised of more than 275 individual races. “Teams have gotten so big in the last few years with nearly 30 riders, a lot of staff, and many races on many continents,” he said. “Getting things like wind tunnel testing, training camps, data analysis and feedback to riders and coaches to make sure everyone is on the same page is a big job. I think that will be the big challenge for me in the first year.” Peiper, a professional for 10 seasons before beginning his directing career, has previously worked with Evans, Marco Pinotti and van Garderen. “So I’m familiar with a few of the guys,” he said. “I feel I can really enhance the work of the entire team, which will give the riders a more coordinated service.”
Important Role
Lelangue said Peiper’s own racing experience makes him well-suited for the job. “It’s really good to have someone with his experience,” Lelangue said. “He and his performance group will be the link between the sports directors, the riders and the latest innovations. That way, the directors can concentrate solely on the riders, the selection of riders for races, and race strategy. Basically, he’ll be involved in all the things that make the difference between being second or third or being first.”
