The Italian team does not have a team leader and big favourite for the elite men’s road race but national coach Davide Cassani is hoping the strength in depth of the Azzurri can allow Italy to fight for at least a place on the podium.
The Italian tifosi always expect something special from the Squadra but an Italian has not won the world title since Alessandro Ballan at home in Varese in 2008 and Cassani is under pressure in his second year as national coach.
Vincenzo Nibali is not particularly suited to the Richmond course but is expected to play a key strategic role in the Italian team’s tactics for the final laps, perhaps supporting late attackers Diego Ulissi and Matteo Trentin or closing a gap to set up designated sprinter Elia Viviani.
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“I’ve been studying how to ride the race for a month. I’ve spoken to the riders, studied the circuit and we’ve all shared our thoughts in our meeting on Thursday. My ideas count but it’ll be up to the riders to put any strategy in place,” Cassani explained to Gazzetta dello Sport.
“There are 20 variable outcomes in the finale and we’ve got to be ready for all of them. Every one of the nine riders will have a double role with a plan A and plan B.”
Daniele Bennati will be Italy’s road captain, calling the race strategy in the absence of race radios, with a series of blackboards along the circuit offering the riders info on the time gaps and breakaways. Manuel Quinziato will play an early domestique role for Italy, while Giacomo Nizzolo, Daniel Oss and Fabio Felline will go in dangerous late breaks or do the work to bring the race back together.
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