BMC Racing Team was in action on stage 3 of Tirreno-Adriatico, where Rohan Dennis inherited the leader’s blue jersey, and stage 6 of Paris-Nice, where Richie Porte finished in third place.
Dennis Moves into the Blue Jersey after Chaotic Finish to Tirreno-Adriatico Stage 3
10 March 2017, Montalto di Castro (ITA)
The blue jersey was passed onto the shoulders of BMC Racing Team’s Rohan Dennis on Tirreno-Adriatico stage 3 after a late crash saw Peter Sagan (Bora – Hansgrohe) take the win in a reduced bunch sprint for the line.
In a similar manner to stage 2, the day’s breakaway was established early with seven riders going clear and extending an advantage of 2’30” after just 15km of racing.
Despite another day over 200km, the pace was high with riders covering 44.9km in the first hour of racing as they headed towards the only categorized climb.
BMC Racing Team kept a watchful eye on the action at the front of the race, as the peloton limited the breakaway’s advantage to four minutes. But, with stage 3 billed as one for the sprinters, the gap started to fall steadily with 100km to go.
The final breakaway rider held on until inside the final 20km of the day before being swept up by the main bunch as they charged towards a fast and furious finale.
With a short and punchy rise in the final kilometer, it wasn’t a straightforward run into the finish with sprinters’ teams battling for position. In the end, the speed of the peloton, and a late crash saw the peloton strung out along the road with Peter Sagan (Bora – Hansgrohe) finding himself in the best position to power across the line.
With Van Avermaet caught behind the crash, it was Dennis who crossed the line first for BMC Racing Team, earning him the right to wear the blue leader’s jersey heading into stage 4, and the summit finish to Terminillo.
Van Avermaet, Damiano Caruso, and Tejay van Garderen round out the top four places on the General Classification.
Quotes from the Finish Line
Rohan Dennis:
“You never think about there being a crash in the final kilometer so for me, the most important thing about today’s stage is that no-one was caught up in that. Of course, the silver lining for me is that I get the chance to wear the blue jersey. We are all on the same time, so it feels as though we are just passing the jersey around.”
“I am happy to be in this position heading into tomorrow, but it will be a tough stage. We haven’t had a climb like the one at the end of tomorrow’s stage yet, so I am hoping I can do well. For me, that means both being able to test myself and work for Tejay Van Garderen unless I am told otherwise.”
“I have to learn how to climb with the best if I want to do well in the Giro d’Italia later on in the year and this race is really a stepping stone to hopefully becoming a Grand Tour contender. There is no pressure on me; I am just looking to do the best that I can and see where my form is. If it doesn’t work out, that’s fine. I can learn from it and try to keep improving.”
Race profile
Tirreno-Adriatico
Stage 3:
Monterotondo Marittimo > Montalto di Castro, 204km
Top 3:
1. Peter Sagan (Bora – Hansgrohe) 2. Elia Viviani (Team Sky) 3. Jurgen Roelandts (Lotto-Soudal)
BMC Racing Team Top 3:
24. Rohan Dennis, 34. Stefan Küng, 35. Damiano Caruso.
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Porte Climbs to Third Place on Paris-Nice Stage 6
10 March, 2017, Fayence (FRA)
The first day of climbing at Paris-Nice saw a battle of the General Classification contenders play out over six categorized climbs, culminating in a short, steep climb to the finish in Fayence.
Despite multiple attacks, it wasn’t until the 40km mark on the 193.5km stage that an eight-rider breakaway went clear, including Alessandro De Marchi.
The group gained five minutes on the peloton, however once Team Sky began the chase with 80km to go the group’s advantage began to decrease.
Eventually, it was just De Marchi and Eduardo Sepulveda (Fortuneo-Vital Concept) who had the legs on the climbs with the duo losing their six breakaway companions.
The reduced peloton, including Richie Porte, Nicolas Roche and Dylan Teuns, made the catch with 20km to go, making way for new attacks from the bunch.
Simon Yates (ORICA-SCOTT) made a solo move inside the last 15km and quickly gained more than 30 seconds, which was ultimately enough to stay away and take the win.
Sergio Henao (Team Sky) attacked from the bunch and Richie Porte responded to go clear of the group and take third place on the line.
With two tough stages in the mountains remaining it will be a battle for the podium to come.
Quotes from the Finish Line
Richie Porte:
“I gave it my all today and came here in a good position. I thought when I was riding at the front that they [the bunch] might let me go because I’m not a threat. Sergio Henao (Team Sky) was super strong. It was such a hard day so I’m happy to rebound. I think it’s good signs for the weekend. Today was such a hard stage that I think tomorrow and Sunday are going to be as well. I think tomorrow suits me better with the longer climbs which will be better for me. We’ll see how it goes. There are still minor placings to go for on the GC.”
Alessandro De Marchi:
“It was the plan to make the breakaway today but it wasn’t the right day in the end. When we had 5 minutes and that was the maximum, I knew that it would be difficult to go to the final. When Alberto Contador (Trek-Segafredo) attacked, we tried to keep going and then eventually it was just Sepulveda (Fortuneo-Vital Concept) and me. It was good to be able to test my legs and it was the first day this year that I went to the limit like that. I am far from top shape, which is normal at this time of the year. We’ll see tomorrow if a breakaway can stay away. But, with the GC all over the place, it’s completely up to the bunch. At the end of today I’m happy.”
Race Profile
Paris-Nice
Stage 6:
Aubagne > Fayence (193.5km)
Top 3:
1. Simon Yates (ORICA-SCOTT), 2. Sergio Henao (Team Sky), 3. Richie Porte (BMC Racing Team).
BMC Racing Team top 3:
3. Richie Porte, 16. Nicolas Roche, 22. Amaël Moinard.
