Nicolas Roche is hopeful the move to his new team will see him get a chance to ride for his own results from time to time next year (Photo: Sean Rowe)
After two seasons with Team Sky, Irishman Nicolas Roche has confirmed he will leave the squad and join BMC Racing Team for the 2017 season.
The move was well flagged in recent weeks but has been confirmed this morning, with all teams and riders free to make announcements about transfers from August 1st each year.
Roche’s recent omission from the Team Sky line-up at the Tour de France effectively confirmed his future did not lie at the team.
Still aged 32 years and with many pro riders continuing until they are almost 40 years, Roche can still win races and ride as team leader.
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And he will have a much better chance of filling that role from time to time with BMC Racing.
At Team Sky, the season is very much based around the Tour de France and the all-out effort to assist Chris Froome in winning the race, which he did again last month.
And even the first half of the season is geared towards assisting Froome win races before the Tour and get in the best shape possible for it.
We are very excited to welcome @nicholasroche to @BMCProTeam in 2017! Read more here: https://t.co/JHCSEzjIt2 pic.twitter.com/jPzMzVLuZG
— BMC Racing Team (@BMCProTeam) August 1, 2016
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Many Irish fans will welcome Roche’s departure from Team Sky, though he has learned a lot there and seemed to gel very well with the others in the squad, as well as helping Froome win last year’s Tour and many other races.
At BMC Racing, Irish road and TT champion Roche will switch to assisting Richie Porte in his effort to win the Tour next year and Tejay van Garderen, but he should also get his chance to ride for his own results.
Hopefully that could involve leading the team, or having a chance to ride for himself at the Vuelta next year.
“I’m super excited because BMC Racing Team is a team that rides with a lot of the characteristics that I like,” Roche said in a statement issued by BMC.
“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.
“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.”
BMC’s general manager Jim Ochowicz described Roche as “a fantastic addition” to the team.
“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,” he said.
“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 added.
“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.”
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