BMC’s Scott Nydam Breaks Collar Bone, Out of US Pros

BMC’s Scott Nydam broke his collar bone at the Tour of Utah this week, putting a damper on the final half of his season. He’ll not be able to contest the US Pros or the Tour of Missouri in the coming weeks.

Nydam figured to be a factor in the US Pro road race, as the hilly parcours suited the small Californian climber. He would have tried to emulate his mentor and training partner Levi Leipheimer in taking the stars-and-stripes jersey, but will have to wait until 2009 to try again.

With Nydam gone, BMC will have to hope that either Tony Cruz or Jackson Stewart have the legs to contest the national championship. Cruz has been largely ineffective as BMC’s team leader thus far in 2008, and Jackson Stewart shined early in the year at the Tour of California, but has been quiet since. Still, either rider has the power to contend in Greenville, providing that their form is there. Too bad for Nydam and BMC, who have established themselves as one of the most aggressive teams in the domestic peloton.