Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Phinney Returns To Competition For BMC Racing Team

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Parent Category: Cycling Pro Road & Mtb

Category: News Cycling Pro Road & Mtb 2011

Published on Monday, 14 March 2011 12:03

Written by Luca Salvatelli

Taylor Phinney will resume his racing program for the BMC Racing Team at the Volta a Catalunya (March 21-27) following his recovery from a training ride crash last month.

Excited He's Healthy

Phinney sustained a mild concussion Feb. 25 after crashing on a training ride. But BMC Racing Team President/General Manager Jim Ochowicz said the 20-year-old reigning U.S. national time trial champion has been cleared to return by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Max Testa. "Taylor got his program started a bit at the Tour of Oman but was sidetracked when he crashed," Ochowicz said. "We're real excited that he's healthy and ready to start racing soon."

Hopeful For Classics

BMC Racing Team Directeur Sportif John Lelangue said Phinney will benefit from seven hard days of racing in Catalunya. "He was disturbed a bit in training camp due to some problems with his knee, so he needs good volume and good intensity," Lelangue said. "There are some really hard stages in Catalunya where he'll be suffering, but this is the best way to get volume for one full week. Then we can re-evaluate if he can go to the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix."

Building Confidence

Phinney called the start of his season a "rocky" one, but said he's received strong support that has him only looking ahead: "I am very excited and anxious to get racing again," he said. "I have been training well and building not only base in the legs, but my confidence as well. Catalunya is necessary for me if I wish to fulfill my classics ambitions this year and I am hoping it will give me the boost I need after the setbacks I have endured these past months. I have to thank the BMC Racing Team, my family, my girlfriend and, most of all, my fans for putting up with me in both high and low times."