Italian selector Franco Ballerini has named a sprinter-heavy line up for the World Championships...
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Alessandro Petacchi(Image credit: Sirotti)
Alessandro Ballan strong but quick(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Alessandro Ballan adds more depth(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Daniele Bennati won two stages in Poland(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Daniele Bennati yet another sprinter(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Lorenzo Bernucci is young and strong(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Lorenzo Bernucci another Fassa Bortolo rider(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Paolo Bettini alternative leader(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Paolo Bettini also in form(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Davide Bramati will be put to work(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Davide Bramati another experienced rouleur(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Marzio Bruseghin a key man for the TT(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Marzio Bruseghin a very strong rouleur(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Giovanni Lombardi another handy sprint train rider(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Giovanni Lombardi very experienced(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Luca Paolini very much in form(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Luca Paolini bronze medalist last year(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Alessandro Petacchi will have to keep it together(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Alessandro Petacchi the main man(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Marco Pinotti will do the TT(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Marco Pinotti happy to be part of the team(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Filippo Pozzato always handy to have around(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Filippo Pozzato will be a valuable ally for Bettini(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Matteo Tosatto in action(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Matteo Tosatto will provide necessary grunt(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Marco Velo can go fast(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Marco Velo will be Petacchi's key lead out man(Image credit: Fotoreporter Sirotti)
Italian selector Franco Ballerini has named a sprinter-heavy line up for the World Championships road race in Madrid. With Alessandro Petacchi and Paolo Bettini as team captains, it's clear that Ballerini wants to have the strongest possible line up if it comes down to a bunch sprint. 11 riders have been named, from which nine will be chosen as the final squadra azzurra: Alessandro Petacchi, Marco Velo, Matteo Tosatto, Lorenzo Bernucci (Fassa Bortolo), Paolo Bettini, Filippo Pozzato, Luca Paolini, Davide Bramati (Quick.Step), Daniele Bennati, Alessandro Ballan (Lampre), Giovanni Lombardi (CSC).
Marco Pinotti (Saunier Duval) and Marzio Bruseghin (Fassa Bortolo) will ride in the time trial.
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