The organisers of the Giro d’Italia have announced the wild card invitations to the 2018 race, with the four places alongside the 18 WorldTour teams going to Israel-Cycling Academy, Androni Giocattoli, Bardiani CSF and Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia.
For a second year there is no place for Italian Professional Continental team Nippo-Vini Fantini meaning 2004 Giro d’Italia winner Damiano Cunego will not enjoy a fairy-tale end to his career. However the team was given the consolation of wild card places at Strade Bianche and Tirreno-Adriatico.
The Irish Aqua Blue Sport team also missed out despite winning a stage at the Tour de Suisse with US national champion Larry Warbasse and a stage at the Vuelta a España with Stefan Denifl.
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Race director Mauro Vegni recently suggested that the selection of the wild cards would pay attention to the Italian cycling scene but also consider RCS Sport’s current and future business interests. In 2017, the Gazprom and CCC-Sprandi teams have secured wild card invitations ahead of the Italian outfits.
Israel-Cycling Academy was widely expected to secure a wild card invitation to the Giro d'Italia after bolstering its roster for 2018 and because the Corsa Rosa will start in Israel on May 4.
Androni Giocattoli missed out on a place in 2017 but secured their place by winning the season-long Ciclismo Cup in 2017. The Bardiani CSF team was considered at risk of missing out in 2018 after Nicola Ruffoni and Stefano Pirazzi failed doping tests, with the news emerging after they had attended the team presentation on the eve of the race in Sardinia.
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
via Cyclingnews Latest News http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/giro-ditalia-2018-wild-card-teams-announced
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