Ballerini confirmed as Italy's DS for Beijing

By Gregor Brown

The Italian cycling federation (FCI) has confirmed Franco Ballerini as the technical director for the country's road team for the Olympics in Beijing. The 42 year-old Tuscan, who recently led the national team to victory at the World Championships in Stuttgart, was given the go ahead to coordinate activities for 2008.

Italy and many other nations sent teams to Beijing in August to race in the Good luck Beijing Invitational as a reconnaissance for the Olympics. Confirming himself as a master tactician, Ballerini led a team of six that won the race with Gabriele Bosisio.

Rosario Fina and Rino De Candido will guide the Under 23 team juniors respectively.

For the track Andrea Collinelli will lead the juniors, while the elite men's role, formerly led by Silvio Martinello, has yet to be determined. Edoardo Salvoldi will lead the women with help from Marino Amadori and Pierangelo Cristini.