Italy announced its final squad for the 2012 Olympic Games
Vincenzo Nibali and Marco Pinotti have managed to make it through the final squad for the Italian Olympics team.
The duo rode brilliantly in the current season and has justified their selection through numerous wins in their bags in the earlier part of the 2012 season.
Italy is sending a mixed team consisting of both the young and experienced cyclists including Sacha Modolo, Luca Paolini, Matteo Trentin, Vincenzo Nibali and Marco Pinotti.
Nibali opened his 2012 winning account with a stage 5 victory at the Tirreno-Adriatico and also wins the point’s classification and an overall victory at the race.
He finished second overall at the Tour of Oman along with a stage 5 win at the race.
Vincenzo finished second at the Liege-Bastogne-Liege and third at the Milan-San Remo to mark a perfect start to its 2012 campaign.
On the other hand, Marco Pinotti’s start to the 2012 season had been relatively quiet with a stage victory both at the Giro d’Italia and the Giro del Trentino.
He rode brilliantly during the Tour of the Basque Country and won the sprints classifications at the race.
Filippo Pozzato was a strong Olympics contender but the Italian Olympic Committee has decided to exclude him from the final squad.
The cyclist was banned for one year because of his contacts with Dr. Michele Ferrari and his involvement has now cost him an Olympics spot.
The National Italian Coach Paolo Bettini is content with the selected team and is optimistic that the team have strong chances to grab gold at the race.
“I chose these guys because I believe they may be the right mix for this type of competition, both in terms of technical features and team spirit,” Bettini said.
“All have demonstrated commitment, devotion and dedication to the national team and to the project”.
“In the Olympics we can field only five runners, this is a mini club, and previous experiences in Athens and Beijing have shown that to get a result”.
“Teamwork and the riders' ability to make themselves available and to sacrifice for teammates are crucial".
Elia Viviani of Team Liquigas-Cannondale is the reserve man for the side and the Italian ha already been selected for the Italian track team.
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