What to expect this year
American team BMC Racing have assembled a squad filled with experience, with several riders keen to prove a point in 2014. Cadel Evans leads the way, as he bids to prove – for the second year running – that he should only be written off at his opponents’ peril. His third place at the Giro was hugely impressive, and the Australian former Tour de France and world champion has made the race his priority this year after he kicks his season off in his home county at the Tour Down Under. Also with a point to prove is 2012 World Champion Philippe Gilbert, who suffered a barren spell in the rainbow jersey, while Tejay van Garderen will be keen to remind everybody why he was seen as such a talent for the future after his 2012 Tour de France white jersey.
New signing Darwin Atapuma is an exciting one, having earned a step-up to a WorldTour team thanks to a hugely impressive season with Team Colombia, which included a stage victory at the Tour of Poland. The Colombian ace has shown he can compete with the big names and a Tour de France debut awaits. BMC also have plenty of contenders for one-day success, led by Gilbert and Belgian compatriot Greg van Avermaet, who enjoyed an extremely consistent campaign in the spring classics including a podium spot at Gent-Wevelgem.
Who’s new for 2014?
Darwin Atapuma (COL) from Team Colombia, Rick Zabel (GER) from Rabobank Development Team, Peter Velits (SVK) from Omega Pharma-Quickstep, Ben Hermans (BEL) from RadioShack-Leopard, Silvan Diller (SUI) neo-pro
Who has left?
Marco Pinotti (ITA) retired, Adam Blythe (GBR) to NFTO Pro Cycling, Mathias Frank (SUI) to IAM Cycling, Ivan Santaromita (ITA) to Orica-GreenEDGE
Riders to watch
Cadel Evans – Victory in his home race, the Tour Down Under, could set the tone for another great year for the veteran Aussie
Philippe Gilbert – Desperate to put a barren year behind him, with the Ardennes Classics among his top priorities
Darwin Atapuma – Has the potential to follow in compatriot Nairo Quintana’s footsteps by marking his Tour de France debut in style, at the very least he will be a key domestique
Brit on board
Stephen Cummings – Former Team Sky man Cummings was part of Cadel Evans’ support team at last year’s Giro, battling illness and treacherous conditions to finish the race and help Evans finish third. He is capable of individual success – as proved by stage wins at the Vuelta and Tour of Beijing in 2012, but his diesel power is likely to cast him again in the role of indefatigable domestique.
