SANTA ROSA, California, Feb 11, 2011 – Reigning world individual
pursuit champion Taylor Phinney of the United States will make his pro road
cycling debut next week at the Tour of Oman, the BMC Racing Team announced
Friday.

The 20-year-old son of former pro cyclist Davis Phinney and speed skater
Connie Carpenter-Phinney has recovered from a knee injury and illness that
kept him from competing in this week’s Tour of Qatar.

“I was upset to miss the Tour of Qatar since it is a race that suits my
strengths very well,” Phinney said.

“I did not race the Tour of Oman last year, as I was building up for the
UCI track world championships, so it is somewhat ironic that this year I am
not able to do Qatar, but Oman instead.”

Much-heralded Phinney, who began racing at age 15, was a junior world
champion in time trial and individual pursuit and finished seventh in
individual pursuit at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“This is a milestone event for him and for us,” BMC Racing Team president
Jim Ochowicz said.

Phinney, the reigning US national time trial champion, could make his move
in an 18.5-kilometer time trial on the penultimate day of the six-day Oman
trek that begins Tuesday.

“This is his first race, but with what he has shown in the past, this time
trial will be a good test for him,” said BMC Racing Team sport director John
Lelangue. “He is a good competitor in races where you have to fight a little
for your place and then make a sprint at the end.”