Some of the teams have reconnoitred the course of the opening team time trial already while others...
No time trial bikes needed (Image credit: Jean-François Quénet)
Some of the teams have reconnoitred the course of the opening team time trial already while others will only do so in the morning prior to the race. But everyone knows it's going to be hard.
"For an individual time trial, it would have been a great course," Rabobank's Pedro Horrillo explained. "But for a team time trial, it's very strange. It's almost impossible to work as team."
The 25.6 km long race will feature a bridge, which in all likelihood means gusty winds, that takes the riders from the island of Caprera to the island of La Maddalena. And unlike most team time trials, the course is riddled with climbs. Most of the teams have already decided not to use their time trial bikes.
CSC is the favourite for the event with world champion Fabian Cancellara and American champion David Zabriskie in their ranks.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
