The wait is over for Taylor Phinney as the two-time under 23 Paris-Roubaix winner will ride the Belgian classics next week
Taylor Phinney is all set to make his classics debut this year. The cyclist missed out on the opportunity last year after he injured a knee during the training session.
Phinney is currently training for the Belgian Classics and will be accompanied by Thor Hushovd and Philippe Gilbert at the event.
Hushovd won the race in 2009 while Gilbert succeeded during the 2006 and the 2008 editions of the Belgian classic.
The 21-year-old is delighted to make his first appearance at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. He told the media, "I've always felt at home racing in Belgium. The flats, the wind and the cobbles really suit my racing style".
He also noted that the Tour of Oman and the Tour of Qatar gave him a chance to test his legs and he is satisfied with the performance during the previous events.
Team’s Sports Director John Lelangue told the media, “It's the first big classic for the guys and the first time to check everything: the weather, the team, the materials, so our first objective will be to test everything because we'll be doing the same climbs and cobblestones of Flanders”.
Phinney started his professional hunt with Team Trek-Livestrong in 2008 and stayed with the side until 2010.
He accepted an offer from BMC Racing Team and is looking ahead to continue his second consecutive season with the squad.
The American finished 4th overall at the Eneco Tour and also claimed the opening prologue stage of the race. He won the second prologue at the Tour of Romandie 2011.
Taylor has three gold, one silver and two bronze medals in his bag and is eager to fill his pockets with more victories in the year to come.
The British side has announced its final roster for the coming races. Alessandro Ballan, Marcus Burghardt, Philippe Gilbert, Thor Hushovd, Taylor Phinney, Manuel Quinziato, Michael Schär and Greg Van Avermaet will lead the team at the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad.
However, Alessandro Ballan, Adam Blythe, Klaas Lodewyck, Taylor Phinney, Manuel Quinziato, Michael Schär, Greg Van Avermaet and Danilo Wyss will ride along the team at the Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne.
Team BMC is amongst the favourite sides for the 2012 season and the presence of Philippe Gilbert and Thor Hushovd will definitely help Taylor at the Belgian events.
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