When Euskaltel-Euskadi were disbanded at the end of last season, BMC made a very shrewd move in signing Olympic gold medallist Samuel Sanchez. At age 36 he won’t be a long-term fixture in the team but he may be just what the doctor ordered.
From the Asturias region in Spain, Sanchez is a climber of precocious talent, capable of blowing his opposition off his wheel.
He’s won stages at the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, finishing second overall at the Vuelta in 2009 and third overall at Le Tour in 2010, as well as a King of the Mountains jersey at Le Tour in 2011.
Sanchez appears to be the rider who can add some serious firepower to Cadel Evans’ team for his tilt at the Giro d’Italia later this year.
Through Cadel’s career he has had to do a lot of the mountain climbing on his own, with his teammates unable to stay with him.
Having Sanchez at his disposal gives Cadel a rider who can chase attacks in the mountains as well as stay by his side as the gradient gets steeper.
As the Giro wore in 2013, Cadel was unable to stay with Vincenzo Nibali, the Italian managing to shake the Aussie off his tail a number of times.
However, the Giro wasn’t Cadel’s major focus in 2013. Now in 2014, it is the race Cadel wants to win.
As many general classification riders can attest to, having a strong climber in your team is important to assist in the mountains and lessen your own workload.
An added package with Sanchez is his time trialing ability. Should Evans come to grief, BMC could turn to Sanchez as the team leader.
Despite Sanchez having a strong concentration on the one-day classics at Euskaltel, he has said he’ll be there to support Evans in May.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
Probably not. Cadel isn't a big Vuelta rider. Sanchez may ride it as for him it's his home race but Cadel will more than likely only ride the Giro this year.
ed
Guest
Maybe but I think his (Sanchez) best days are behind him - also Evans needed a guy like Sanchez 7 or 8 yrs ago
Kathleen Casey
Guest
Ny chance cadel and Sanchez will ride Vuelta?
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
He didn't get on with the Spaniards mainly because he was riding against Contador and Sastre before him.
Kathleen Casey
Guest
Cadel does ride to win .......a super domestique .??????? ...probaly not for TJ ....but lets see Taylor or somebody else....Cadel as a trainer ...sports director who knows. Cadel has a few good years left? Look at Jensie! Cadel simply loves to ride....loves to ride....good for the sport, good for the fans and good for the sponsors. Lets see him and Sanchez under the same colours...I am so excited to finally having somebody to help Cadel in the mountainss. Was so excited watching the Giro last year...I have even watched the reruns!
Kathleen Casey
Guest
Cadel does ride to win but may be a super domestique .??????? ...probaly not fo TJ ....but lets see Taylor or somebody else....Cadel as a trainer ...sports director who knows. Cadel has a few good years left? Look at Jensie! Cadel simply loves to ride....loves to ride....good for the sport, good for the fans and good for the sponsors. Lets see him and Sanchez under the same colours...I am so excited to finally having somebody to help Cadel in the mountainss. Was so excited watching the Giro last year...I have even watched the reruns!
Kathleen Casey
Guest
cadel does ride to win but may be a super domestique ....probaly not fo TJ but lets see Taylor or somebody else....Cadel as a trainer ...sports director who knows. .Cadel has a few good years left? Look at Jensie!
Tom Dibble
Roar Rookie
A lack of climbers in his team has hurt Cadel a lot over the years.
Bobo
Guest
Evans and Sanchez did not ride well together when in competing teams - there was a bit of niggle, particularly at the Vuelta. Evans struggled to build alliances in the peloton. Not sure how they'll get on under the same team colours.
jonty23
Guest
Great signing,albeit a little late for Cadel,lets hope SS class helps Cadel finish his grand career in style
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
You are probably right there, like Bradley Wiggins at Sky Capel will probably never become a domestique, no matter how much of a good idea it would be for the team as a whole. A man can dream of a team to match Sky though.
SuperEel22
Roar Guru
I doubt that Cadel would ever ride as a support rider simply because he rides to win. Once he no longer believes he can win the big races he'll retire.
Sam Brown
Roar Guru
Very exciting signing. If TJ does well as leader at The Tour this year then maybe just maybe he will get to ride 2015 with Sanchez and Evans as his domestiques. Would be some amazing fire power. Dreaming aside, as sad as it is to see the old orange Basque team fold having Sanchez at BMC and with Cadel in the Giro gives the Aussie some serious support and also a dark horse contender the other teams will have to worry about.