Fresh from winning the individual time trial at the USA Cycling Pro Championships this weekend, Taylor Phinney says he's joining the BMC Racing Team next season.
That's a surprising turn-around as the 20-year-old has been racing for the Lance Armstrong-owned Under-23 Trek-Livestrong development team that's considered a pipeline for the RadioShack cycling team of Armstrong, Levi Leipheimer, Chris Horner, and others.
Instead, Phinney's teammates will include George Hincapie and world champion Cadel Evans next year.
Trek-Livestrong teammate Ben King, who won the road race of US pro championships with a 50-mile solo breakaway on Sunday, has announced that he's going to RadioShack.
Interviewed by CyclingNews, Phinney said the fact that RadioShack has only one more year of sponsorship played a big part in his decision. He's looking for a good relationship with the team bike suppliers so he can get used to a time trial bike in advance of the 2012 Olympics.
Phinney has had great success in track cycling, although he'll be competing in road races for BMC. The bike supplier for BMC is, of course, BMC bikes.
Asked about the relationship with Armstrong after his decision, Phinney said that he had been unable to contact Armstrong, despite trying repeatedly.
“However, we had a chat with Lance, Bart Knaggs and Johan [Bruyneel] just to let them know that Jim (Ochowicz of BMC) had put in an offer and Lance had to leave half way because I think Senator Kerry was on the other line. I've tried to call, email and text and I've not really heard anything. I've talked to Bart Knaggs, who is at CSE (Capital Sports & Entertainment), and I'm sad that I've had to leave but I think they understand where I'm coming from. I think if Lance was in the same situation that I was in he would have done the same thing. That makes me feel more comfortable but it's not all smiles and laughs.”
Phinney said he'll look back at his time with Trek-Livestrong with a lot of fondness, however.
Recent Comments