World number one Joaquim Rodriguez, Filippo Pozzato, Alexandr Kolobnev and Vladimir Karpets have been working with the rest of the Katusha team at the squad’s training camp in Calpé, Spain, clocking up good kilometres prior to the start of the season.
They have been joined by new signing Danilo Di Luca (right), back from a ban and pledging to do things correctly this time. As well as training, he will use the time to make any necessary adjustments to his bike and equipment.
The season is an important one for the team as there is a sense that it is about to step up a level. Rodriguez’s number one slot in the world rankings plus his Tour de France stage win and strong performance in the Vuelta a España shows that he has improved greatly; Pozzato didn’t ride to his best level in 2010 but is determined to do things differently this season, getting the most out of his talent.
In order to help him and the other riders to perform to their top level, the team recently signed up Mario Cipollini as a consultant. He will work with them on coaching matters and other issues and may prove to be what is needed to turn Pozzato from a contender into a regular winner.
Alexander Kolobnev is another who is eternally banging on the door, having finished second in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, twice second in the worlds and third in the Olympic road race. He’s still waiting to receive his medal for the latter, but will be equally concerned about reaching the top step of the podium this season.
Ditto for Mikhail Ignatiev, Serguei Ivanov and Leif Hoste, who have shone in the past but had quieter seasons in 2010.
The squad has progressed each year and providing it can keep up its momentum, the Russian team could be on the verge of some very big successes in 2011. With that in mind, those in Calpe will continue to work hard, while the Santos Tour Down Under contingent will race to chase results and to build condition.
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Team Katusha for 2011:
Arkimedes Arguelyes Rodriges (Russia)
Pavel Brutt (Russia)
Giampaolo Caruso (Italy)
Danilo Di Luca (Italy)
Denis Galimzyanov (Russia)
Vladimir Gusev (Russia)
Joan Horrach Rippoll (Spain)
Leif Hoste (Belgium)
Mikhail Ignatiev (Russia)
Serguei Ivanov (Russia)
Vladimir Karpets (Russia)
Alexandr Kolobnev (Russia)
Timofey Kritskiy (Russia)
Aleksandr Kuschynski Belorussia)
Alberto Losada Alguacil (Spain)
Alexander Mironov (Russia)
Daniel Moreno Fernandez (Spain)
Luca Paolini (Italy)
Alexandr Pliuschin (Moldova)
Alexander Porsev (Russia)
Filippo Pozzato (Italy)
Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver (Spain)
Egor Silin (Russia)
Yury Trofimov (Russia)
Nikolai Trussov (Russia)
Stijn Vandenbergh (Belgium)
Maxime Vantomme (Belgium)
Eduard Vorganov (Russia)
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Pictured: Danilo di Luca, Joaquim Rodriguez (above), Filippo Pozzato, Alexander Kolobnev, Serguei Ivanov, Leif Hoste and Vladimir Karpets.
