Team BMC Racing's roster to help Tejay van Garderen at Paris-Nice features an abundance of talent and experience around him, including Tour Méditerranéen winner Stephen Cummings (Britain) and Dubai Tour champion Taylor Phinney (USA).

Van Garderen is coming off a runner-up finish at this year's Tour of Oman in his first competition of the season. The past 4th- and 5th place Paris-Nice finisher (2013 and 2012, respectively) told RoadCycling.com he is pleased with his form and the talent surrounding him, but disappointed the course does not play to all of his strengths.

"My fitness feels good, even better than last year, having raced in Tour of Oman," van Garderen explained. "They (race organizer A.S.O.) picked a nice route, but I am disappointed there is no time trial or uphill finish, which could make sprinting for bonus seconds valuable."

"My goal remains to fight for the general classification. Winning will be difficult, but we will try to get as high a finish as possible. We are sending a strong, motivated team, which could provide lots of options."

Joining van Garderen in the 2014 Paris-Nice from March 9-16 are Paris-Nice stage winners Thor Hushovd of Norway (in 2008) and Frenchman Amaël Moinard (in 2010), Cummings, Phinney, Peter Stetina, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad runner-up Greg Van Avermaet and Slovakian national time trial champion Peter Velits.

Team BMC Racing Sports Director Yvon Ledanois described how riders will have the freedom to go for stage wins while still supporting van Garderen in a joint mission. "I have spoken this week with each of our riders and there is a big motivation to work for Tejay van Garderen. This race is certainly an important objective for everyone."

BMC Racing Team's roster for Paris-Nice 2014:
Stephen Cummings (GBR), Thor Hushovd (NOR), Amaël Moinard (FRA), Taylor Phinney (USA), Peter Stetina (USA), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL), Tejay van Garderen (USA), Peter Velits (SVK).

How will the BMC Racing riders fare in Paris-Nice? Check in at www.roadcycling.com to find out and be sure to follow Roadcycling.com on Twitter, Facebook and Google+.