Franzoi crosses from Lampre to Liquigas

By Susan Westemeyer

Enrico Franzoi has switched from one Italian ProTour team to another for 2008, leaving Lampre-Fondital for Liquigas. Lampre was said to be unhappy that he continued to ride cyclo-cross in the off-season, according to sporza.be. 25 year-old Italian signed a two year contract.

Franzoi has been the Italian national cyclo-cross champion since the 2004-2005 season, and was the U19 and U23 national champion from 1999-2000 through 2003-2004. He was World U23 Champion in 2002-2003, and is a favourite for the upcoming World Championships in January.

Franzoi was impressive on the 'road' this year as well, helping Lampre captain Alessandro Ballan win the Ronde van Vlaanderen. In that race, he was in part of a three-man escape group which stayed in the lead for some 220 kilometres. (Read Going the distance.) Shortly thereafter, he was in an escape group in Paris-Roubaix. Stuart O'Grady attacked out of what had once been a 30-man strong group, including Franzoi, who finished eighth.