Damiano Cunego’s ear infection is worse than the Lampre-ISD team originally thought and so the blue-fuchsia team has withdrawn its captain from this week’s Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali. The 29-year-old 2006 and 2009 race winner had been aiming for his third victory in the overall classification of the five-day race, which is based around the area of the resort town of Riccione on the coast of Emilia Romagna,
"In the team there will be cyclists that have already shown their good form,” explained diroctor sportif Maurizio Piovani earlier, “so we aim to be competitive for stage victories and for a good result in the overall standing.
“Our main athlete is Cunego who, despite an otitis externa [an inner ear infection – ed], will be ready to improve his fitness,” he originally said. “[Diego] Ulissi is another athlete that has realised some very good performances in the last few weeks, so we expect that he could be competitive.
“Our youngsters [Alfredo] Balloni, [Enrico] Magazzini and [Adriano] Malori will have the chance to have their freedom, supported by the experience [Leonardo] Bertagnolli and [Daniele] Righi and the strength of [Oleksandr] Kvachuk".
Since announcing the team though, plans have been changed by Cunego’s condition being worse than expected. With the team also racing in the WorldTour Volta a Catalunya at the same time, the team has decided not to replace him.
"Cunego began to feel bad sensations during the afternoon and then he began to have a temperature,” Dr Pietro Ronchi, Team Lampre-ISD's doctor, explained. “It was due to the otitis externa and to a beginning of pharyngitis, that won't allow him to be tomorrow at the start".
Lampre-ISD (seven-rider) team for Settimana Internazionale Coppi e Bartali:
Alfredo Balloni. Leonardo Bertagnolli, Oleksandr Kvachuk, Enrico Magazzini, Adriano Malori, Daniele Righi and Diego Ulissi