Bookwalter

With the Giro/Tour double in his legs, Bookwalter said that his form is ahead of where it was in January 2010.

Brent Bookwalter: turning fatigue into time trial results 2011

Bookwalter has a shot at being team leader for Paris-Nice this year.

Brent Bookwalter possible BMC team leader at Paris-Nice; Phinney out 2011

In just four seasons, Bookwalter, 26, went from neo-pro and collegiate champion to the sensation of the Giro opener.

Brent Bookwalter: turning fatigue into time trial results 2011

Bookwalter will debut in Italy at the Trofeo Laigueglia before the five-day Giro di Sardegna in late February.

Brent Bookwalter: turning fatigue into time trial results 2011

Bookwalter followed his second-place breakthrough up with solid rides through the Giro and Tour de France and told VeloNews Thursday about the toll — and benefits — he saw from those efforts.

Brent Bookwalter: turning fatigue into time trial results 2011

After a quick stop at home in Georgia, Bookwalter went to the Tour of Utah.

Brent Bookwalter: turning fatigue into time trial results 2011

Without prologues at California and the Tour, Bookwalter hoped increased focus on the time trial bike in training would transfer into improved numbers in the longer time trials.

Brent Bookwalter: turning fatigue into time trial results 2011

“The news about Carla is a total shock,” Bookwalter said.

Carla Swart killed in South Africa 2011

“I feel like I stepped up last year in the time trials and I feel like in turn the team has stepped up their support,” said Bookwalter, who in the same breath admitted that he has a lot of room for growth.

Brent Bookwalter: turning fatigue into time trial results 2011

Bookwalter admitted that he took on too much, too soon after his second three-week race of the year.

Brent Bookwalter: turning fatigue into time trial results 2011