Italy's Filippo Pozzato is making an early start to his 2009 season that includes a trip to the...
Filippo Pozzato with the flag of Russia, (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Italy's Filippo Pozzato is making an early start to his 2009 season that includes a trip to the sponsor's base in Moscow. The winner of the 2006 Milano-Sanremo accompanied his new Katusha teammates to the Russian capital for the team's presentation.
"I have never been to Moscow. Negative six degrees [Celsius], snow, traffic. I saw only one guy on a bike, doing balancing acts on the iced asphalt," said Pozzato to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Pozzato joined Team Katusha this year after two years with Team Liquigas. In 2007 he won the Omloop Het Volk and a stage in the Tour de France, but passed 2008 without a win despite many placings.
Pozzato re-started his training early to be prepared for 2009 and has ridden 2000 kilometers since the start of December. He intends to be ready for the season along side new teammates Gert Steegmans and Robbie McEwen.
"I want to start strong. I will begin racing in Qatar, dedicating myself to the Northern Classics. I will go on to race the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France. Too much? No, I have already done it, and I can do it again."
Pozzato aims to win immediately because he believes it is his responsibility to do so. (GB)
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Based in the southeastern United States, Peter produces race coverage for all disciplines, edits news and writes features. The New Jersey native has 30 years of road racing and cyclo-cross experience, starting in the early 1980s as a Junior in the days of toe clips and leather hairnets. Over the years he's had the good fortune to race throughout the United States and has competed in national championships for both road and 'cross in the Junior and Masters categories. The passion for cycling started young, as before he switched to the road Peter's mission in life was catching big air on his BMX bike.
