Andrea Guardini is entitled for under 23 World Championships – Cycling News
This year’s Under 23 road race championships are on its way in September as cyclists will show their skills at Copenhagen. Italian cyclist Andrea Guardini who turned professional this year is still eligible to ride at the event because his team Farnese Vini-Neri
Sottoli is not the part of World Tour.
Andrea already has nine victories in this season and will be starting the under 23 road race championships as a favourite. Bettini mentioned that the young cyclist has to perform even better to find his way in the national team and he still has one month
to show his abilities as he stated, ”What he is won so far is a nice calling card, but it’s not sufficient to get in the national team.”
Paolo Bettini, who is the Italian coach has not selected the 22-year-old in the senior team because of long distance of the race. Guardini who is considered as the best sprinter might have difficulties during the 281 kilometre race and is wisely set back
by the experienced coach.
Cyclists that will be riding in the under 23 instead and gain more experience in a shorter course as the Italian coach said, “Yes there is the idea of picking Guardini, even if we know well that a move of that kind could always spark some polemics, because
if you win, it’s expected and if you lose, you look bad.”
Italian federation president Renato Di Rocco also favoured the idea that the cyclist should be riding the under 23 line-up and fully supported it as he has not forgotten the German cyclist Gerald Ciolek who won the under 23 world title in same conditions.
Bettini stated that if Guardini’s inclusion in the team is beneficial he most certainly will be included but he might not be leading the team. His experience as a professional will certainly be a big help for the young riders in the team and that before
making such decisions it is important to make sure that other countries does not have any problem with it.
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