BMC Boosts Its Power: Signs Hushovd, Pinotti, Van Garderen, Gilbert

BMC Racing is building what could be the next HTC-Highroad: the team that wins the most races every year.

Thor Hushovd wears the yellow jersey during Stage 3Three of the 2011 Tour de France, July 4, 2011. Michael Steele/Getty Images

The breakup of the powerhouse HTC team has released a lot of great riders into the market. It has also spurred speculation of which team might assemble the next unbeatable squad?

It looks like the American BMC Racing Team is going to be a contender.

BMC has signed four powerful new riders, two proven veterans and two young lions: World Champion Thor Hushovd, a sprinter-turned all-rounder; five-time Italian Time Trial Champion Marco Pinotti; Belgian Philippe Gilbert, a multiple Classics winner who has already won 16 races in 2011; and HTC’s frequent Best Young Rider Tejay Van Garderen.