Taylor Phinney is hoping that with the coming of the Chinese Year of the Horse, will come more success for the talented American. He has potential to do well in one-day races, specifically the Cobbled Classics and Milan-Sanremo, all time trials, short stage races, and individual stages of any races. That is just how good he is.

The young man on the BMC team spoke to Cycling Weekly at the Tour de San Luis in Argentina.

"I think I've progressed relatively well over the last three years. This year is an important year for me, I come into this season quite strong, stronger than last year,"

Indeed, since 2011, Phinney has been 4th in both the Olympic Road Race and Time Trial, won a superb solo stage in the Tour of Poland, won the Giro d’Italia prologue and donned the maglia rosa.

"The team is putting positive pressure on me and giving me the opportunity to shine, like targeting the time trial here. I'm excited, it's going to be a good year."

He will be at Flanders and Roubaix, and is determined to come away with a win in at least one. He has twice won the U23 Paris-Roubaix, and finished 15th in Roubaix this year.

"Flanders and Roubaix are the biggest priorities," he said. "Other than performing well in the classics, the biggest goal of the season is to make the Tour team. It's my fourth year as a professional, it's about time I get to the biggest race there is.”