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Tour de France 2016: Richie Porte and Tejay van Garderen spearhead strong BMC Racing line-up

American team insist two leaders will be supported equally after naming experienced nine-man line-up

BMC Racing insist Richie Porte and Tejay van Garderen will be supported equally at this year’s Tour de France after naming the seven riders set to support them in July.

Porte’s move from Team Sky to BMC Racing in the winter means a two-pronged attack to rival Chris Froome, Nairo Quintana and Alberto Contador for GC honours in the race, which rolls out on Saturday July 2.

Van Garderen was third overall before illness forced his early exit from last year’s race with just five stages remaining, while Porte has been an integral part of Chris Froome’s two victories and is keen for the chance to prove himself on his own.

Richie Porte says he’s in good shape ahead of the Tour de France (pic: Sirotti)

They will be supported in the mountains by Italian Damiano Caruso and long-serving American domestique Brent Bookwalter – one of four riders selected who were part of Cadel Evans’ 2011 Tour-winning team.

Swiss rider Michael Schar and German Marcus Burghardt were also part of the BMC Racing five years ago, as was Frenchman Amael Moinard who finished 15th at the 2015 Giro d’Italia.

The team is completed by 2015 stage winners Rohan Dennis, who wore the yellow jersey last year after his record-breaking stage one time trial, and Greg van Avermaet, winner of this year’s Tirreno-Adriatico.

Both Dennis and Van Avermaet will be on the hunt for stage wins again, while Porte is set to act as road captain.

Seven of the team geared up for the race at the Criterium du Dauphine, where Porte finished fourth overall – just two seconds off the final podium – while Van Garderen and Schar were at the Tour de Suisse, where the American finished sixth.

General manager Jim Ochowicz insists the two will be on an equal footing when it comes to the Tour de France, however, saying: “Richie and Tejay will both receive equal support from the staff and riders within the team structure during the race itself.

“Throughout the race Richie will act as BMC Racing Team’s road captain, and as such will represent the riders’ interests both on and off the bike.”

Tejay van Garderen was third overall when illness curtailed his race in the final week last year (pic: Sirotti)

Directeur sportif Yvon Ledanois admits the team were spoiled for choice when it came to selecting the final nine riders, and Porte is relishing the opportunity of co-leading the team.

“To know that Tejay and I will be supported by such a strong group of guys is really motivating,” he said.

“I’ve already raced with these seven riders a lot this season and I’m confident that we are going into the Tour de France in a really good position.

“My form is good, my legs are good and after another week of fine-tuning, I’m definitely ready to race. It’s an exciting time.”

BMC Racing for the 2016 Tour de France

Richie Porte (AUS)
Tejay van Garderen (USA)
Brent Bookwalter (USA)
Marcus Burghardt (GER)
Damiano Caruso (ITA)
Amael Moinard (FRA)
Michael Schar (SUI)
Rohan Dennis (AUS)
Greg van Avermaet (BEL)

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