Team BMC Racing's Taylor Phinney will resume his racing program for his team at the 2011 Volta a Catalunya from March 21-27 following his recovery from a training ride crash which happened in Italy last month.

Phinney sustained a mild concussion on February 25 after crashing on a training ride. But Team BMC Racing President and General Manager Jim Ochowicz states the 20-year-old reigning U.S. national time trial champion has been cleared to return by the team's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Max Testa. "Taylor got his program started a bit at the Tour of Oman but was sidetracked when he crashed," Ochowicz commented and added "We're real excited that he's healthy and ready to start racing soon."

Team BMC Racing sports director John Lelangue believes Phinney will benefit from seven hard days of racing in Catalunya. "He was disturbed a bit in training camp due to some problems with his knee, so he needs good volume and good intensity," Lelangue told Roadcycling.com/Roadcycling.mobi.

"There are some really hard stages in Catalunya where he'll be suffering, but this is the best way to get volume for one full week. Then we can re-evaluate if he can go to the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix," Lelangue added.

Phinney calls the start of his 2011 season with Team BMC Racing a "rocky" one, but says he's received strong support that has him only looking ahead. "I am very excited and anxious to get racing again," Phinney commented and continued "I have been training well and building not only base in the legs, but my confidence as well. Catalunya is necessary for me if I wish to fulfill my classics ambitions this year and I am hoping it will give me the boost I need after the setbacks I have endured these past months. I have to thank the BMC Racing Team, my family, my girlfriend and, most of all, my fans for putting up with me in both high and low times."