Tejay van Garderen to Open 2016 Season in Spain

09, February 2016, Santa Rosa, California (USA)

Tejay van Garderen will have the chance to test his legs for the first time in 2016 at the upcoming Vuelta Ciclista a la Region de Murcia and Clasica de Almeria races.

It is the first time that BMC Racing Team will take a team to the two one-day races on February 13 and 14, BMC Racing Team Sports Director, Jackson Stewart said.

“They’re great races to start the season with. We’re sending a solid GC team to the two races so that they can get a couple of good race days in their legs before continuing on to Ruta del Sol. Really anyone from the team has a shot in Murcia, and then Almeria is traditionally a sprinters’ race.”

It is van Garderen’s first time opening his season at the Spanish races.

“The decision to start the season in Spain is due to a number of reasons. I’ve opened the two previous seasons with the Tour of Oman, but we felt it was a good idea to stay in Europe, in the same time zone, with a better climate and eliminate the travel involved. These races are competitive and will really set my season up well.”

Rider Roster: Darwin Atapuma (COL), Brent Bookwalter (USA), Damiano Caruso (ITA), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Ben Hermans (BEL), Samuel Sanchez (SPA), Tejay van Garderen (USA)

Sports Director: Jackson Stewart (USA)