Team Valdarno is banking on this weekend’s GP Ciudad de Valladolid ending in a sprint and so is building the team around fast finishing Italian champion Monia Baccaille. The 26-year-old from Marsciano, Perugia has had a reasonable spring so far, winning the GP Liberazione ahead of big rival Giorgia Bronzini (Gauss-RDZ-Ormu); she has recently had a quiet month though, before building up once again for the defence of her tricolore in three weeks time.
"The course will not be very selective and it is very likely we will see a sprint of a more or less full peloton, said team manager Giancarlo Montedori. “The condition of our sprinter Baccaille is not the best, but will be supported by a strong team and we will still achieve a good result.
“We always have an eye turned toward our big goals of the season: the Italian Championship and the Giro d’Italia," he added.
Also in the team will be Spanish champion Marta Vilajosana, looking to show her jersey in her country’s biggest race of the year. The two champions will be ably supported by powerful Oceania champion Bridie O’Donnell, with the experience of Tania Belvederesi and Martina Corazza.
Not travelling to Spain however is World champion Tatiana Guderzo; having finished the recent Tour de l’Aude the 25-year-old from Marostica in the Veneto has been suffering from an inflamed tendon in her knee. After a few days rest Guderzo is expected to return to full fitness in time for the Giro del Trentino later in the month.
After tomorrow’s World Cup race the team will be staying in Spain for the single day Durango-Durango race and the four-day Iurettta-Emakumeen Bira stage race.
Team Valdarno for the GP Ciudad Valladolid, Durango-Durango and Iurettta-Emakumeen Bira:
Monia Baccaille, Tania Belvederesi, Martina Corazza, Alessia Massaccesi, Bridie O'Donnell and Marta Vilajosana