The 2009 race winner Alessandro Ballan is one of several riders who will battle it out for the overall victory in the Tour de Pologne, with the Italian heading the BMC Racing Team when the race begins on Sunday.
Ballan, who took stage five plus the overall title while in the rainbow jersey of world road race champion, recently competed in the Tour de Wallonie and had good sensations. He helped team-mate Greg Van Avermaet to the overall victory there, but will be the clear captain in Poland. He knows some tough racing is in store, but is also feeling upbeat.
“I know I'll be up against some strong opposition from riders coming from the Tour de France,” he said, while also being aware that some of those will be starting to tire. “My objective is to win a stage and contest for the overall.” He finished fifth last year and wants to step it back up a level.
The other protected rider on the team is Mauro Santambrogio. Like Ballan, he was sidelined from racing this year due to his implication in the Mantova investigation; like Ballan, he’s been given a green light by his team to return to action and wants to make the most of it.
Assistant directeur sportif Michael Sayers said that while the race isn’t the most logical of targets for him, that things could work out well. “The course doesn't' necessarily suit him, but there's no time trial and he's good on circuits. There are a lot of circuits at this race.”
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BMC Racing Team for Tour de Pologne, July 31-Aug. 6:
Alessandro Ballan (ITA), Chad Beyer (USA), Chris Butler (USA), Alexander Kristoff (NOR), John Murphy (USA), Tim Roe (AUS), Mauro Santambrogio (ITA), Danilo Wyss (ITA).