PONFERRADA, Spain — BMC dethroned two-time champion Omega Pharma-Quickstep to win the men’s team time trial on the opening day of the road cycling world championships on Sunday.
BMC completed the hilly 57.1-kilometre (35.4-mile) ride, starting and finishing in the city of Ponferrada, in 1 hour, 3 seconds.
Orica GreenEdge, featuring time-trial specialist Svein Tuft of Langley, B.C., took the silver.
Omega Pharma-Quickstep, led by individual time trial champion Tony Martin, settled for bronze after having won the event in its first two editions.
Martin will look to rebound on Wednesday when he bids to win his fourth straight individual time trial title.
While Omega Pharma-Quickstep failed to defend its title, Specialized-Lululemon won the women’s team time trial for the third straight year to begin the weeklong championships.