BMC happy to stay out of trouble in Tirreno-Adriatico

"The[BMC Racing] team successfully achieved its goal of staying out oftrouble and not losing time on Wednesday’s rainy, cold opening stage ofTirreno-Adriatico," said sporting director John Lelangue.

“Weknew it was too close to the finish for the sprinters and it wasuphill,” Lelangue added. “So I told the guys to take a look at it thefirst time we went over it."

World champion Evans picked up a time bonus to lie fifth overall after the opening 148km stage.

He finished 20th in the 148km stage from Livorno to Risignano Solvay, among 120 riders in the main group.

Butthe BMC team leader was third in the intermediate sprint and that timebonus moved him up to fifth in the general classification.

"Shortbut cold start to the 'race of the two seas', but to think we werehappy to have a dry 6C day, says something about the extended winterEurope is experiencing right now," said Evans on his website.

"In the race, it got cold and intense in the final, it seems it wasmore a finish of who could get into position in the last 2km and holdit rather than an actual sprint - a hard win anyway, congrats toGerdemann. It will be interesting how long he can hold the jersey forhere; I'm guessing longer than most expect.

"Another cold buttougher day tomorrow - I'll be happy if I can continue like this;healthy and in contention," Evans concluded.

Evans is nineseconds behind Gerdemann overall in a race that is regarded as aprelude to the prestigious Milan-San Remo classic which begins on March20.