BMC Racing have enjoyed a fine start to the year. Cadel Evans was a stage winner and second overall in the Tour Down Under, Taylor Phinney and Steve Cummings led home a BMC one-two in Dubai before the Wirral ace won the Tour Mediterraneen and Tejay van Garderen continued the profitable early season for the American team with second in Oman. The 2012 Tour de France best young rider showcased the form which saw him ride to second place on the Alpe d’Huez at last year’s Tour by beating the likes of Rigoberto Uran and Joaquim Rodriguez to the summit of Green Mountain.

Only Chris Froome bettered the American and it was another timely reminder of van Garderen’s prowess. The 25-year-old, fourth at Paris-Nice and third at the Criterium International last year, is just one of several potential leaders for BMC Racing come July and the Tour de France. It is too early to be making predictions for the Tour, as we discussed after stage five, but van Garderen – like Cummings, Phinney and Evans before him – will certainly be encouraged by his first taste of competitive action this season.