Red Hot Rumour: Gilbert may sign with team BMC

Oh, the benefits that comes with being the victorious team in Le Tour De France.

As Cadel Evans revs up in the red and black of BMC for the Tour of Colorado beginning shortly, the acquisitions made by the American based team have been notable perhaps even formidable.

In the past week it has been announced that reigning world champion Thor Hushovd has been signed and it is rumoured that the one day classics man Philippe Gilbert is rumoured to be close to signing.

So what would this add to the team that will be defending the Golden Fleece next year?

For starters, some formidable protection around Evans that in the past has had a weaker team as well as a tantalising prospect that the Australian could possibly win another tour, however this is a premature hope, but here at the Daily Red we can dream, can’t we?

Gilbert would also bring a great deal of publicity to the BMC brand, expanding it having not only the claim to fame of having the first Aussie to win le tour as well as having the George Hincapie to the list.

Also it would expand the name out to the one days classics such as Fleche Wallone and Liege Bastogne Liege, both of which Gilbert won this year among his rapidly building palmares.

If anything, if they can sign Gilbert to the squad it’d be a great coup for the team as well as for their tour defence.

But if there is one thing that I have learnt at Le Tour spectating, is that you can have the greatest and strongest riders around you and still not win le Tour (Andy Schleck, take note).

Nonetheless let us hope that the red hot rumour of Gilbert and BMC is more fact than fiction.