Cadel Evans will return to the scene of his big win in the 2010 Giro d'Italia when he joins Samuel Sanchez as BMC leaders in Saturday's Strade Bianche. For Sunday's Roma Maxima, Philippe Gilbert will try to capitalize on the good form he showed in last weekend's hilly races in France.

A pair of one-day races in Italy – Strade Bianche on Saturday and Roma Maxima on Sunday – will be part of a busy weekend of competition for the BMC Racing Team. In addition to the two races in Italy, the BMC Racing Team will compete Friday through Sunday in Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen and begin racing Sunday in Paris-Nice.

For Strade Bianche, Sport Director Valerio Piva said he will look to several veterans for the race which features 50 kilometers of dirt roads – in 10 segments – along its 197-km route.

"Certainly Samuel Sánchez seems to be in good shape and I will give him a chance," Piva said. "But also Cadel Evans, who has already won a stage of the Giro d'Italia on this course. He will be our leader. Michael Schär also did a great race here last year and is very motivated."

Philippe Gilbert, winner of Strade Bianche in 2011, will be one of the BMC Racing Team's starters in Roma Maxima.

"I chose this race because in Strade Bianche, we already have a lot of leaders," Gilbert said. "I have never done it, so it will be a good experience for me. But my form is good, so I will be looking to get the best result I can."

Sport Director Fabio Baldato, who will direct Sunday's 195-km race, said Gilbert is part of a strong overall line-up.

"Our leaders for sure will be Gilbert and Sánchez," Baldato said. "But others – like Darwin Atapuma, Yannick Eijssen, Ben Hermans, Dominik Nerz, Manuel Quinziato and Larry Warbasse – will be ready for attacks on the climbs."

Atapuma said he is ready for his first race since the Tour de San Luis in January.

"In Argentina, I was able to do very good work and now I am reaping the benefits of it," he said. "In the next two races – my first ones in Europe with the BMC Racing Team – I want to reach a goal to stay close to the team leaders and help them to get good results."

BMC Racing Team Strade Bianche Roster (March 8):
Darwin Atapuma (COL), Cadel Evans (AUS), Steve Morabito (SUI), Dominik Nerz (GER), Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Samuel Sánchez (ESP), Michael Schär (SUI), Larry Warbasse (USA).

BMC Racing Team Roma Maxima Roster (March 9):
Darwin Atapuma (COL), Yannick Eijssen (BEL), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Ben Hermans (BEL), Dominik Nerz (GER), Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Samuel Sánchez (ESP), Larry Warbasse (USA).