Taylor Phinney upset after Team BMC decided to ride the Tour of Flanders without him
Taylor Phinney of Team BMC has shared his disappointment after being dropped from the Tour of Flander’s final squad.
The team has decided to ride the event with Alessandro Ballan, Philippe Gilbert, Marcus Burghardt, Thor Hushovd, Manuel Quinziato, George Hincapie, Greg Van Avermaet and Michael Schar.
Team BMC is amongst the most expensive teams of the new season and it has been unlucky in terms of victories.
The only win for the team came through the 2011 Tour de France winner, Cadel Evans. The cyclist claimed the second stage and an overall victory at the Criterium International 2012.
Phinney was given the opportunity to test his legs at the Milan-San Remo and the Gent-Wevelgem.
The cyclist was looking ahead at the eighth biggest race of the season, Tour of Flanders but has to wait a little bit longer for his next appearance at the highest level of the sport.
Taylor shared his disappointment with Cyclingnews, "Obviously I'm disappointed not to make the team but honestly I have to be realistic. I knew that going into this year that it would be a hard selection to make, especially for Flanders".
He further added, "I respect the team's decision and just wish the guys all best of luck, and it's the most star-studded team at the race".
"I'm sad to miss out but I wish them good luck and I'll hopefully look forward to Paris-Roubaix which is my all-time favourite race and I'm really hoping that I get selected for sure," he concluded.
The 21-year-old joined the American side in 2011 and is positive to take his performance to the higher level in the current season.
He claimed the first prologue stage of the Eneco Tour 2011 and also grabbed the fourth overall position at the event.
Taylor is now looking ahead at the Paris-Roubaix scheduled on April 8, 2012. He has succeeded at the under 23 version of the race in the past two seasons.
The American is certain that the selectors will give him the opportunity at the French race and only time will tell if Team BMC shows its faith in Taylor for the tenth World Tour race of the season.
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