Having been co-sponsored this season by Neri Sottoli, the Farnese Vini team will have a changed title next season as Selle Italia is stepping into that role.
The news was confirmed today after the team and the saddle manufacturer came to a final agreement. It means that it will be an important part of a team which will feature riders such as former Milan Sanremo winner Filippo Pozzato, Oscar Gatto (pictured) and the up and coming sprinter, Andrea Guardini.
“We are satisfied from this agreement,” explained team manager Angelo Citracca from the team’s training camp in Montecatini. “I have a personal friendship with Bigolin's family. Next year will be a pleasure for us to be called Farnese Vini Selle Italia, and we are ready to take some important results in the international calendar. With Pozzato, Gatto and Guardini, we are ready for it.” Pozzato is moving to the team after a couple of tough seasons and is hoping to get his career back on track there. He had been in negotiations with several teams, including Europcar, Lampre, Saxo Bank, Geox and Green Edge, but finally chose the Italian Pro Continental outfit. Gatto won stage eight of the Giro d’Italia, holding off a hard-chasing Alberto Contador. Meanwhile Guardini had a superb first pro season, clocking up eleven wins and beating some of the world’s top sprinters, including Tyler Farrar (Garmin-Cervélo) and Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre ISD).
He equaled the number of victories set by Mark Cavendish during his debut season and is regarded by some as a rider who could perform very strongly in the years ahead.