New world champion Flakemore joins BMC

The BMC Racing Team announced three new rider signings Thursday, including newly-crowned under 23 world time trial champion Campbell Flakemore of Australia.

On Monday, the 22 year old became the fourth Australian to win the world under 23 individual time trial in the past six years, joining Jack Bobridge (2009), Luke Durbridge (2011) and Damian Howson (2013).

His less-than-half-a-second margin of victory over Ryan Mullan (Ireland) was the closest finish in the history of the event as he overcame a nearly 20 second deficit in the final 13 kilometres of the 36.1km race.

"I knew it would be close," said Flakemore. "I would have been satisfied with the podium after being fourth last year, but winning it was pretty cool."

Flakemore arrives from the Avanti Racing Team and said he is looking forward to teaming with riders like fellow Australian Rohan Dennis, as well as Philippe Gilbert, Greg Van Avermaet and Tejay van Garderen.

"I think I can learn a lot from those guys," he said. "My priority for next year is to get experience and learn how it all works in a WorldTour team. I want to learn as much as possible."

Flakemore also won the prologue of the Tour de l'Avenir this year and was the winner of the individual time trial stage at last year's Olympia Tour and the under 23 edition of Thuringen-Rundfahrt.

"He adds significant value to our team in his specialty, which are time trials," said BMC General Manager Jim Ochowicz.

Joey Rosskopf of the United States and Manuel Senni of Italy were also announced as joining the team for 2015.

Ochowicz said that Flakemore, Senni (22), and Rosskopf, 25, will complement the signings for 2015 of Stefan Küng of Switzerland and Dylan Teuns of Belgium, both of whom raced for the BMC Development Team this season.

"All of these fine young athletes fit with our strategy of bringing younger riders into the BMC Racing Team and helping them reach their potential."