World road champion Cadel Evans, U.S national road champion George Hincapie and former world road champion Alessandro Ballan headline Team BMC Racing's roster for its first Tour de France.

Team BMC Racing sports director John Lelangue minutes ago announced the team's nine-man roster for the 21-day, 3,642-kilometer 2010 Tour de France which begins on July 3 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Joining Cadel Evans (AUS), George Hincapie (USA) and Alessandro Ballan (ITA) are Marcus Burghardt (GER), Karsten Kroon (NED), Steve Morabito (SUI), Brent Bookwalter (USA), Mathias Frank (SUI), and Mauro Santambrogio (ITA). Evans, Hincapie, Burghardt and Kroon are all past Tour de France stage winners.

Lelangue said the team's sole objective is to be competitive and to make the best result. "The best result for the BMC Racing Team is looking to the highest step on the podium," Lelangue said. "With Cadel, we come to the Tour clearly with one objective - one leader. All of the team will be focusing on supporting him." Nearly 25 years after Jim Ochowicz made history by managing the first American team in the Tour in 1986, the BMC Racing Team's president said he has realistic expectations. "We'll have our day in the sun there and we'll have some tough days as well," Ochowicz said. "But overall, it will be a great experience for the BMC Racing Team."

Cadel Evans is a two-time Tour de France runner-up (2007, 2008) and finished fifth overall in this year's Giro d'Italia. The Australian said his season has gone well, but he hopes for more. "Leading into the Tour de France, things seem to be coming together," Evans commented and added "For me, the Giro was a bit more fatiguing than I expected, possible because of the health problems I encountered. We will see during the Tour how my alternative race program goes."

George Hincapie is ready to support Evans in the Tour de France 2010. Photo copyright Fotoreporter Sirotti.

George Hincapie will be making his 15th start in the Tour de France, just one shy of Joop Zoetemelk's record. The three-time U.S. national champion said the first week of the Tour may very likely figure prominently. "There are cobblestones in the mix and small roads and wind and possible bad weather conditions, so it can be very hectic," Hincapie said. "I think the first week this year can blow the whole race wide open." Because of his great experience and impressive results in cobblestone races such as the Paris-Roubaix, Hincapie is expected to offer Cadel Evans crucial on the cobblestone sections of the Tour de France 2010.

Missing the Giro d'Italia was a huge disappointment for Ballan. But the 2008 world road champion says he is on form and ready to support Evans. "I was most worried about not returning in time to be selected for the Tour de France," Ballan commented and added "I had hoped to help Cadel at the Giro but was unable to participate. Now I can work 100 percent for him at the Tour de France."

BMC Racing Team 2010 Tour de France Roster:
Alessandro Ballan (ITA), Brent Bookwalter (USA), Marcus Burghardt (GER), Cadel Evans (AUS), Mathias Frank (SUI), George Hincapie (USA), Karsten Kroon (NED), Steve Morabito (SUI), Mauro Santambrogio (ITA). 

General Manager:
Jim Ochowicz (USA)

Sports Director:
John Lelangue (BEL)

Assistant Sport Director:
Michael Sayers (USA)

Press Officer:
Georges Lüchinger (LIE)

Team Staff:
Doctors: Dario Spinelli (ITA), Max Testa (ITA). Hospitality Manager: Jacques Michaud (FRA). Mechanics: Kevin Grove (USA), Ian Sherburne (USA), Nick Vandecauter (BEL). Physical Therapist: David Bombeke (BEL). Soigneurs: Kaycee Evans (USA), Graeme McCallum (RSA), Jeremiah Ranegar (USA), Trudi Rebsamen (USA). Chefs: Peter Cambre (BEL), Jean Patrick Simonneau (FRA). Bus Driver: Francis Bur (FRA).