Tejay van Garderen will have the chance to test his legs for the first time in 2016 at the upcoming Vuelta Ciclista a la Region de Murcia and Clasica de Almeria races.
 
It is the first time that BMC Racing Team will take a team to the two one-day races on February 13 and 14, BMC Racing Team Sports Director, Jackson Stewart said.
 
"They're great races to start the season with. We're sending a solid GC team to the two races so that they can get a couple of good race days in their legs before continuing on to Ruta del Sol. Really anyone from the team has a shot in Murcia, and then Almeria is traditionally a sprinters' race."
 
It is van Garderen's first time opening his season at the Spanish races.
 
"The decision to start the season in Spain is due to a number of reasons. I've opened the two previous seasons with the Tour of Oman, but we felt it was a good idea to stay in Europe, in the same time zone, with a better climate and eliminate the travel involved. These races are competitive and will really set my season up well."
 
Rider Roster: 

Darwin Atapuma (COL), Brent Bookwalter (USA), Damiano Caruso (ITA), Philippe Gilbert (BEL), Ben Hermans (BEL), Samuel Sanchez (SPA), Tejay van Garderen (USA)