Friday 23 January 2015 22:12, UK
BMC Racing have confirmed the return of Samuel Sanchez to their squad for the 2015 season.
The 2008 Olympic road race champion had a strong season with the team in 2014, his most impressive performances coming at the Vuelta a Espana where he finished sixth overall.
Sanchez ended the year without a contract, and had been mulling retirement, but he will now spend another year with Jim Ochowicz's squad and provide the kind of veteran leadership they will lose when Cadel Evans retires from top-flight competition at the end of the Tour Down Under.
"We are pleased to extend our relationship with Samuel for the 2015 season," Ochowicz said.
"He was a great contributor to our success in 2014 and we expect to see the same again this year. His program will focus on the grand tours and WorldTour races where his strong experience and multitude of skills will be a big benefit to the team."
Sanchez played super-domestique for Evans at the Giro D'Italia - the Australian led the race for four days - and launched Philippe Gilbert to victory in the Amstel Gold Race before playing more of a leadership role in the Vuelta.
The 36-year-old feels BMC offers him the perfect fit as he comes towards the twilight of his career.
"For me, the BMC Racing Team is my team," Sanchez said. "I know the riders. I know the team. And I don't like to change much. I prefer one team.
"As for my fitness, I may not be ready to race tomorrow, but I did a good job at home to stay active. I was riding my mountain bike and doing cyclocross. My level is not good, but it is not bad, either."
Sporting manager Allan Peiper is delighted to have Sanchez back, the news coming in the same week as Evans participates in his last major race, where even he was overshadowed by team-mate and fellow Australian Rohan Dennis during a daring late break for victory on stage three.
"Everyone is very happy to have Sammy back," Peiper said. "From a sporting perspective, he gives us that much more depth. We saw last year what a game changer he can be.
"This year we expect him to contribute in pretty much the same way, but maybe with a little more focus on the support and development of the big influx of young talent we have brought into the team."
Watch live coverage of the Tour Down Under all week on Sky Sports 1 HD.
