CyclingQuotes.com Gilbert and Van Avermaet lead BMC in opening weekend

BMC Racing Team is set to open the Belgian Classics at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, and take on Classic Sud-Ardèche and La Drôme Classic in France this weekend.

The two Belgian one-day races are an important feature in BMC Racing Team's program said Sports Director Valerio Piva.

Philippe Gilbert will race at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Greg Van Avermaet will line up at both Belgian races.

"Omloop Het Nieuwsblad is always an important race for a Belgian rider so I hope to do well there. This year it's even more special for me because ten years ago I won for the first time," Gilbert said.

"Racing in Qatar and Oman was really good preparation for the Belgian races," Van Avermaet confirmed. "It's always exciting to race in Belgium and I'm ready for some tough racing."

Sports Director Yvon Ledanois said Classic Sud-Ardèche and La Drôme Classic are key races for riders looking to test their early season form.

"At this point in the season it's all about getting race days in the legs as we approach the first big tests of the season, Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico, and the two French races are excellent races for this," Ledanois explained.

Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (27 Feb)

Rider Roster: Jempy Drucker (LUX), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Floris Gerts (NED), Daniel Oss (ITA), Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Michael Schär (SUI), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL), Rick Zabel (GER).

Sports Director: Valerio Piva (ITA)

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Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne (28 Feb)

Rider Roster: Tom Bohli (SUI), Jempy Drucker (LUX), Floris Gerts (NED), Daniel Oss (ITA), Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Michael Schär (SUI), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL), Rick Zabel (GER).

Sports Director: Valerio Piva (ITA)

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Classic Sud-Ardèche (27 Feb) and La Drôme Classic (28 Feb)

Rider Roster: Darwin Atapuma (COL), Rohan Dennis (AUS), Amaël Moinard (FRA), Samuel Sanchez (ESP), Manuel Senni (ITA), Dylan Teuns (BEL), Loïc Vliegen (BEL), Danilo Wyss (SUI).

Sports Director: Yvon Ledanois (FRA)

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