Past Olympic champion Samuel Sánchez makes his European racing debut Saturday at Strade Bianche as part of a BMC Racing Team roster that includes Greg Van Avermaet, a three-time top 10 finisher at the Italian one-day race.

After signing with the BMC Racing Team in January, Sánchez's only racing competition has come in Australia on Feb. 1 at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race. Van Avermaet has finished sixth (2013), fifth (2012) and ninth (2011) in the 200-kilometer race that is best known for its sections of white gravel roads.

Roster:
Brent Bookwalter (USA), Damiano Caruso (ITA), Alessandro De Marchi (ITA), Daniel Oss (ITA), Manuel Quinziato (ITA), Samuel Sánchez (ESP), Peter Stetina (USA), Greg Van Avermaet (BEL).