Filippo Pozzato (Katusha) has come in from yet more criticism over his racing style, this time from his own team manager Andre Tchmil. The former Italian champion has a habit of not being able to convert performances into results, the Russian former classics specialist told the Gazzetta dello Sport.
"Pozzato has so much talent but he lacks something,” said Tchmil, “you could call it grinta. I am sick when I see what opportunities he has squandered."
The Italian, who won the HEW Cyclassics and Milano-Sanremo as a Quick Step rider, was often criticised at the time by team manager Patrick Lefevere. The Belgian often commented that Pozzato had trouble when he was the undisputed leader of the team; his biggest wins generally came when he was riding in a team led by others.
At Katusha Pozzato is the undisputed captain in the classic races, just as he was for Italy at the World championships, and has few high quality victories to his name. The experience of a team captain, as he had in abundance at Quick Step with riders like Paolo Bettini and Johan Museeeuw, could be what he is missing in the Russian team.
"Actually, Pippo needs a rider like myself or Museeuw in the team; someone who could pull his ears," said Tchmil. "We are considering hiring Mario Cipollini to be a mentor or adviser to give Pozzato better support."
Cipollini, Tchmil feels, could step in as an intermediary between the Italian rider and the team’s coaching staff.