Italian team ready for the Olympic road race
The Italian team riding the 2012 Olympic Games might not be the strongest of the squads sent by the team in the past seasons but Paolo Bettini is optimistic that he has enough talent to challenge any team at the contest.
Italian road men’s team is currently practicing in London ahead of the 250 kilometre Olympic road race and even though the side is missing a true leader; Bettini has briefed that he has enough strength to grab gold at the London’s event.
Paolo told La Repubblica, "I think we can count on a good team”.
“We're perhaps lacking an individual leader but we have a motivated, strong and united team of experienced men who are joined by young talents”.
“Each of them can make a major contribution to the team and the race".
Vincenzo Nibali will guide the five-man team at the biggest sporting event of the year after his splendid performance at the Tour de France 2012.
The cyclist finished third at the three-week race behind Bradley Wiggins and Christopher Froome of Team Sky Procycling.
Nibali will be accompanied by Sacha Modolo of Team Colnago-CSF Inox, Luca Paolini of Team Katusha, Marco Pinotti of Team BMC and Matteo Trentin of Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step.
Bettini has high hopes from Vincenzo and noted that his form right through the start of the 2012 season is good enough to produce the desired results for his side.
The 27-year-old bagged stages at the Tirreno-Adriatico and the Tour of Oman and also managed to grab a first and a second overall position at the both the races respectively.
He finished second during the Liege-Bastogne-Liege and third at the Milan-San Remo 2012 to mark an ideal start to his 2012 campaign.
On the other hand, Bettini has noted that Sacha Modolo is an ideal candidate to hold the sprinting department at the Olympics.
Paolo noted, “Modolo was second behind Mark Cavendish at the test event last year".
He further added that, “Paolini is experienced, knows how to sacrifice himself for the team but can also lead if asked”.
Bettini cited that while Pinotti can be a real help in the time trial events, Trentin will help the team with his youth and the energetic performance which he has done in past as well.
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