Liquigas pins Dauphiné hopes on Basso and Nibali

Team Liquigas is counting on Ivan Basso and Vincenzo Nibali for its best chance of victory at the 61st Critérium du Dauphiné Libéré, which begins on Sunday.

Basso proved he has good form at the Giro d'Italia where he attacked up several mountains, and the course of the Dauphiné Libéré should be well suited to the climbers. It's also a chance to preview a few of the climbs for the Tour de France, which will start next month.

"The Dauphiné is an important step towards the Italian Championship and the Tour," said Nibali. "My aim is to clear the 'zero' that is my tally of victories. I will have two riders in great shape at my side: Basso and (Sylvester) Szmyd."

The team will be sending Nibali, Basso, Maciej Bodnar, Murilo Fischer, Enrico Franzoi, Aleksandr Kuschynski, Sylvester Szmyd e Frederik Willems. Dario Mariuzzo and Mario Chiesa.