Although defending champion Ivan Basso is to sit out this year’s race, the Liquigas-Cannondale team is aiming to keep the Giro d’Italia’s pink jersey in-house through last year’s third place, and Vuelta a España winner, Vincenzo Nibali. To this end, the acid-green and blue team is putting the entire weight of its nine-man roster behind the Sicilian in the race, which starts in Turin with a 21.5km team time trial this Saturday.
“We’ve pulled out all the stops to prepare for this race,” explained team director sportif Alberto Volpi. “We’re motivated and well aware of the challenge awaiting us, and we’re ready to race now.
“It’s a really tough route full of potential pitfalls.,” he continued. “The last week will be the real decider as it has the steepest climbs but none of the previous stages should be underestimated. I reckon there will be lots of tricky situations and demanding finishes: I’m sure that this Giro will be anyone’s race right up to the last day.”
Liquigas-Doimo, as the team was then known, won the longer team time trial in last year’s race, putting Nibali in the pink jersey. He lost it on the epic stage across the white roads of Tuscany to Montalcino, but even on that day could be seen waiting for team captain Basso, who was struggling in the conditions as he rode himself into form as the race went on.
This time the whole team will be riding for Nibali, so one of his teammates may find himself doing the same.
“We want to support Nibali in every phase of the race,” Volpi added, “from the flatter stages to the climbs; all the riders are up to the job.”
To this end Liquigas-Cannondale is sending a tried and tested group of riders to the race; eight of whom are Italian, with one Pole.
“Time and again Valerio [Agnoli] has shown how skilled he is, as have Eros [Capecchi] and Sylwester [Szmyd],” said Volpi, “who will be with him in the finales of the mountain stages. This is Cristiano [Salerno]’s first Grand Tour but his reliability and strength on the climbs are guarantees enough for us.”
As well as the four climbers, the team will also include a group of four strong rouleurs, which includes Tiziano Dall’Antonia, Alan Marangoni, Fabio Sabatini and Alessandro Vanotti.
“They know exactly what they need to do and I’m counting on their experience to support Vincenzo in every phase of the race,” Volpi explained. “Vanotti in particular will be an important addition on the medium climbs as well, while Sabatini will be free to play his hand and go for a win in the sprint finishes.”
As the top Italian team, the Giro is the key target for Liquigas-Cannondale; “The preparations are over now so let the long hunt for the maglia rosa begin,” the team’s press statement concludes.
Liquigas-Cannondale for the Giro d’Italia:
Vincenzo Nibali, Valerio Agnoli, Eros Capecchi, Tiziano Dall’Antonia, Alan Marangoni, Fabio Sabatini, Cristiano Salerno, Sylwester Szmyd and Alessandro Vanotti.