Unless a WorldTour squad is blessed with a Chris Froome, a Nairo Quintana or an Alberto Contador, then leadership selections can be somewhat of a headache when it comes to the Grand Tours. BMC Racing is no exception to the rule with Richie Porte and Tejay van Garderen both holding legitimate claims to lead the line.
For 2017, the American team have set themselves the lofty ambitions of winning the Tour de France, finishing in the top three in the team WorldTour rankings, succeeding in the Classics, and claiming back the team time trial crown at the Worlds.
In a poorly lit room in a sparsely populated hotel at their December training camp, general manager Jim Ochowicz stands front and centre, delivering his lines before adding in that the team’s new motto - linked to the new partner Tag Heuer - ‘don’t crack under pressure’.
Both Porte and van Garderen stand awkwardly in the wings, each rider well aware that although they will divide up duties in 2017 there is now at least more certainty over their roles.
This time last year the team outlined that, although Porte had signed from Team Sky, both riders would share responsibility at the Tour de France. The road would decide was the old adage that tripped off the tongue but as the new season unfolded the situation altered.
Handling disappointment
Divide and conquer
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