Team Katusha's Filippo Pozzato is still recovering from a crash in the Tour of Belgium earlier this year, where he fractured his left clavicle and the radius of his left wrist. The accident happened during the last stage with only 10 kilomteres left to go in the race. Pozzato was moving up through the field to lead out teammate Luca Paolini for the sprint, and in the process ended up colliding with another rider around a corner and hit the deck.
The former Italian champion now hopes to have recovered in time for the Vuelta a España, a race he would like to use to prepare for the World Road Race Championships in Denmark.
“I just have to heal well and not miss any more preparation, although the injury did not give me the ideal situation,” he said in an interview with Tuttobici.
“I would like to return to the Tour of Spain, to be able to earn a call-up, because the world championships in Copenhagen, does not seem so easy.”
Pozzato was shocked after he was left off Katusha’s roster for the Giro d’Italia then was also omitted for the Tour de France when the team announced they’d take an all Russian team to make history.
He's had a winless season thus far, but would like to finish it strongly in order to gain selection for Italy's world championship squad.
“I recently spoke to Tom Boonen who went to see the route, a route that is not easy, so if I go well, if I deserve it, I could be part of Paolo Bettini’s team,” he added.
“I wish I could go back to wearing the blue [Italian] jersey and I'd like to win or I’d like one of my teammates to win which is important. I continue to read that we Italians are no longer able to win a road race. I aim to end this thinking.”
Pozzato’s future seems to be uncertain with the Russian outfit; he’s come under constant criticism from team manager Andre Tchmil, for his lack of results.
“I heard Tchmil while talking at the Tour of Italy, and I have taken note. For my part I can only say that I will do everything to end the season well, then what will be will be. The thing that comforts me is that I have three very good proposals.”
“Pippo” is known for being unable to convert good performances into victories, and instead settling for a place in the top five. He has been widely criticized for not riding aggressively in the finale of races, with the Italian lacking the confidence to take control of a race and close the deal. His last big victory was in last years Giro d’Italia when he won stage twelve. His biggest classics victory was winning Milan San Remo in 2006.