Peiper to join BMC Racing

Allan Peiper has left his position at Garmin-Sharp and will work as the BMC Racing team's performance director from next season the outfit announced in a statement today.

Peiper will work in conjunction with BMC sports director John Lelangue and oversee aspects of performance relating to sports science including: equipment testing, training data, wind tunnel and velodrome testing, altitude and general training camps as well as race reconnaissance and nutrition.

"He and his performance group will be the link between the sports directors, the riders and the latest innovations. That way the directors can concentrate solely on the riders, the selection of riders for races and race strategy," Lelangue said. "Basically, he'll be involved in all the things that make the difference between being second or third or being first."

The union will see Peiper, who joined Garmin this season following the demise of HTC-Highroad where he was a sports director, reunite with former colleagues including 2011 Tour de France champion Cadel Evans and this year's fifth place Tour finisher and white jersey winner Tejay van Garderen.

"This is an important new role that we have identified and one that will be crucial to our success going forward," BMC general manager Jim Ochowicz said.

"We're putting a priority on performance and Allan is the right person to lead us in that direction. We also know that he will bring team spirit to the BMC Racing team that he had during his own racing days and those as a sports director."

Peiper named coordination as his first challenge.

"Teams have gotten so big in the last few years - with nearly 30 riders, a lot of staff, and many races on many continents," Peiper said.

"Getting things like wind tunnel testing, training camps, data analysis and feedback to riders and coaches to make sure everyone is on the same page is a big job. I think that will be the big challenge for me in the first year.

"I'm familiar with a few of the guys," he continued. "I feel I can really enhance the work of the entire team, which will give the riders a more coordinated service."