BMC Thinking Big for 2010 with George Hincapie, Alessandro Ballan and Karsten Kroon

The BMC cycling team is no longer a mid-level domestic squad. They have, over the past few months, morphed into a powerhouse team with an International roster capable of winning a variety of races in 2010. The biggest names to sign are undoubtedly the threesome of George Hincapie, Alessandro Ballan and Karsten Kroon. The three, each suited differently to one day races, should have a profound affect at the front of the peloton in many of next year's biggest races.

George Hincapie, hopelessly addicted and in love with the cobbles, will once again hope for the winning combination at his beloved Paris Roubaix. The tall American has been as close as runner-up, but has been doomed year over year with bad luck or poor form. It seems to be said every season about Hincapie, but 2010 really may be his last chance at glory in the Roubaix Velodrome.

Alessandro Ballan, former world champion and co-leader of the Lampre team, comes to BMC after a decidedly down 2009. Although he wore the rainbow jersey and did manage a few wins, Ballan's 2009 was largely a throw away season, marked with sickness and lack of form. Searching for a fresh approach, Ballan jumped to BMC, where he'll have the chance to race in American races as well as in Europe. A top showing at the Tour of Flanders is likely, before switching gears to lead the team at the Giro. Ballan, when on form, is lethal in one day races, and he'll be a key part of BMC's success (or lack thereof) in 2010.

Karsten Kroon, the third of the big three for BMC in 2010, is perhaps the least well known, but nevertheless the Dutchman is a capable one day rider with a penchant for the hills of the Amstel Gold, Fleche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege classics. Kroon has never managed to win a classic, but like Hincapie he has been very close. Previously a part of the powerhouse Saxo Bank team, Kroon often found himself riding for teammates instead of himself in the big classics. That will change at BMC though, where he'll be counted on to ride well in the biggest hilly classics.

In addition to the above big three riders, the rest of the BMC team is strong for 2010 as well. They have added several other staunch Europeans to the team, including Marcus Burghardt, Steve Morabito and Michael Schar, and they are bringing back a slew of talented riders, including climbers Jeff Louder and Scotty Nydam, and all-arounders Brent Bookwalter and Jackson Stewart. 2010 should see a potent BMC surprise some in the cycling world, as they contend in the biggest races throughout the year.