BMC Racing Team is set to cap off the team's Australian racing program at the second edition of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race this Sunday, 31 January.
 
The team's six-man squad at the UCI 1.HC-ranked, 174 kilometer race is based on the team's recent Santos Tour Down Under roster: Rohan Dennis (AUS), Alessandro De Marchi (ITA), Floris Gerts (NED), Peter Velits (SVK) and Danilo Wyss (SUI). Joining them is Rick Zabel (GER) who will kick off his 2016 season.
 
BMC Racing Team Sports Director Allan Peiper said the race, which starts and finishes in Geelong and continues along Australia's picturesque coastline, will allow all six riders to have their own chance.
 
"It's a great opportunity for all of the riders to have their own chance for once because there isn't an outspoken leader who can win in a sprint or who can ride away on the final climb.
 
"We'd like to have someone in the breakaway and then coming into the last laps the guys can move and respond to any breakaways that I'm sure we'll see in the final stages of the race. If it does come down to a sprint, then we'll have Rick Zabel and Danilo Wyss there. Every rider will get his own chance."
 
The one-day race is an important opener to the 2016 season for BMC Racing Team, with the event founded by former BMC Racing Team rider and 2011 Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans.
 
"The team is based on Cadel. His results helped make the team what it is, so obviously we want to do well," Peiper confirmed.
 
BMC Racing Team has brought Zabel in to replace Marucs Burghardt who fractured his left elbow at the Santos Tour Down Under.
 
"I'm really happy to be starting my season earlier than expected in Australia at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. It will be a good chance to test the legs after some solid training in the off season," Zabel said.
  
Rider Roster: 

Rohan Dennis (AUS), Alessandro De Marchi (ITA),Floris Gerts (NED),Peter Velits (SVK), Danilo Wyss (SUI),Rick Zabel (GER)