BMC team manager Jim Ochowicz is expected to arrive at the Giro d’Italia today, but he should not expect a warm welcome from the Professional Continental teams in the peloton after his recent suggestions that the quality of teams invited to participate in WorldTour events should be scrutinised to help reduce crashes in the peloton.
Ochowicz issued a statement on the BMC website on Monday, suggesting that a way to eliminate the chances of crashes in the peloton would be to reduce the size of the peloton.
Perhaps taking a stance as the final decision on major reforms of the sport are about to be discussed and formalised, Ochowicz said he is against a reduction in the number of riders per team in major races but instead pointed his finger at the quality of the Professional Continental teams that are given wild card invitation to races by organisers.
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“Selection should be based on quality and performance – not politics,” Ochowicz wrote in his message. “This can go a long ways toward reducing the danger and damage to riders during a long and rigorous racing season. Rider safety should be priority No. 1 going forward.”
The reaction to Ochowicz statement amongst the Italian-based Professional Continental teams was blunt and aggressive.
Claudio Corti of the Colombia team visited the Giro d’Italia in Aprica. His team is not racing this year but has secured a wild card invitation to the Vuelta a España.
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