The Italian team Farnese Vini - Selle Italia had hoped that the signing of a name as big as Filippo Pozzato would result in some invitations to the biggest races of the season, and these hopes came to fruition yesterday with the news of the team’s slated participation in the Ronde van Vlaanderen.
Expected to lead the team in the spring Classics, Pozzato gets another shot at a podium finish in the Flemish Classic that has plagued him in the past.
The Ronde takes on a bit of a different look this year, eschewing the hallowed Muur van Geraardsbergen less than 20 kilometers from the finish, in favour of a three times-repeated lap that includes the Oude Kwaremont and the Paterberg. The finish has moved from Meerbeke to Oudenaarde.
No matter the finish locale, Farnese Vini - Selle Italia team manager Angelo Citracca is excited to be able to unleash his one-day specialists. “We want to make our mark, and with Pozzato and [Oscar] Gatto, we will have our say,” he stated.
“The team is growing and our talents are growing, and this increases the quality and the popularity of the races in which we participate,” Citracca added. “We are very happy to receive the invitation to the Tour of Flanders. We want to thank the organizers who have given us the opportunity to be at the start. We will go our way in the race, determined to do well.”
While they would be likely to fully support Pozzato, based on experience alone, Citracca indicated that team rider Oscar Gatto would also be given a chance to shine. The emerging 27-year-old took four wins last year, highlighted by his victory on stage 8 of the Giro d’Italia. The Italian had escaped with Alberto Contador (SaxoBank) just before the finish line, surprising the sprinters, and he stole the win with five seconds in hand.
Having already scored another invitation to the Giro, Citracca is now looking to shake up one of the year’s most exciting days of racing.
“We believe that Pozzato and Gatto can have their say, supported by their companions. In short, we have a great opportunity and we are determined to race well. We can prove to be suitable not only to large RCS races, but also to the Classics – the races that have made the history of international cycling,” he concluded.