The BMC Racing Team might not have a Giro d'Italia squad with the most experience or the biggest names, but at a press conference earlier today Team BMC Racing sports director John Lelangue said the eight riders who will support World Champion Cadel Evans in the 2010 Giro d'Italia are totally motivated to help him win the race on their BMC bikes.

"Whether it was Tirreno-Adriatico or the Ardennes Classics, whenever we have had Cadel as our leader this year, the riders have done their maximum to be with him and help him until the last moment," Lelangue stated. "This will be the case during the three weeks of the race. It may not be a team of big names, but we know they can do the job for us, so that's most important. Our only objective for this race is riding for Cadel for the general classification."

Lelangue said he is confident the three Americans on the Giro team - or Tour of Italy team - Brent Bookwalter, Jeff Louder and John Murphy - are ready to perform despite not having ever ridden a Grand Tour. "They have done their preparation and go into this race knowing from the first day what their job is. To help the world champion reach his objective, which is the top place on the podium."

To achieve its goal, Lelangue said the BMC Racing Team must be consistently good throughout the 3,418 kilometer, 21-day race that begins Saturday with a prologue in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and take advantage of their excellent BMC bikes. "It's a Giro which will be pretty hard in the mountains and in the last week," he said.

"We don't have to be afraid of the pressure. We only have to keep Cadel in a good position because we know the last week will be where the big gaps occur and the big things happen. So we just have to ride well to protect Cadel every day. But we are also going to have fun and enjoy this moment. It's the first big event for the BMC Racing Team," Lelangue added.

Team BMC Racing Roster for 2010 Giro d'Italia:
Cadel Evans (AUS), Brent Bookwalter (USA), Martin Kohler (SWI), Jeff Louder (USA), John Murphy (USA), Mauro Santambrogio (ITA), Florian Stalder (SWI), Michael Schär (SWI), Danilo Wyss (SWI).

Team Manager:
Jim Ochowicz (USA)

Sports Director:
John Lelangue (BEL)

Assistant Sports Director:
Fabio Baldato (ITA)

Stay tuned to Roadcycling.com for our complete 2010 Giro d'Italia coverage, which will include video highlights from each stage of the Giro. Also, check out www.universalsports.com/cycling for full video coverage of each stage.

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