Nicolas Roche (Team Sky) has signed for BMC Racing Team for the 2017 season, the American team have announced today. The Irish Road Race and Time-Trial champion will support the Grand Tour ambitions of Richie Porte and Tejay van Garderen.
In addition to his Irish Championship wins, Roche also finished 2nd in the Tour de Yorkshire (UCI 2.1) in May and was 9th in Clasica Ciclista San Sebastian (1.UWT) at the weekend.
Roche has spent the past two season with Team Sky and previously rode for Tinkoff, AG2R-La Mondiale, Crédit Agricole and Cofidis.
“Nicolas Roche is a fantastic addition to BMC Racing Team,” said General Manager Jom Ochowicz. “Nicolas brings a wealth of experience and is exactly the sort of rider we are looking for to support our Grand Tour ambitions and work for his own personal objectives.”
“A lot of our goals are centred around Grand Tours and we felt we needed an additional rider who could bring us experience in that field,” Ochowicz explained.
“We are looking forward to a big season again in 2017 and I think Nicolas will be an asset for us, as he has proven in the past. Nicolas is a rider who brings a lot of dimensions with his portfolio, including Grand Tour stage wins and top ten finishes in the General Classification, so we are thrilled to welcome him to the BMC Racing Team family.”
Roche said that he was attracted to BMC Racing Team’s style of riding.
“I’m super excited because BMC Racing Team is a team that rides with a lot of the characteristics that I like,” said Roche. “They’re always up the front, riding with aggression and trying to make an exciting race. I think I’ll enjoy the aggressive style of racing,” Roche said.
“Looking ahead to the 2017 season, my main role will be to really support Richie Porte and Tejay van Garderen in their General Classification ambitions, and hopefully I’ll have a good go at the Vuelta a Espãna.”
2017 will mark Roche’s 13th season as a professional cyclist, during which time he has claimed two Vuelta a Espãna stage wins, overall victory at Route du Sud, and two Irish National Road Race and Time Trial Championships.
