Ivan Basso optimistic to lead Team Cannondale in Vincenzo Nibali’s absence
Ivan Basso will lead Team Cannondale Procycling, previously known as Team Liquigas-Cannondale in the season ahead.
The team looks pretty strong on paper and Basso will be accompanied by Elia Viviani, Peter Sagan and Moreno Moser in the season ahead.
The Italian side could not have asked for a better ending to its 2012 campaign with Ivan Basso playing the winning stroke, with his first place finish at the Japan Cup 2012.
"We really wanted this win and it’s quite emotional. The entire team wanted to honour this race as it was a very significant one for us," said Basso after crossing the finish-line.
"It’s a way of thanking Liquigas for the commitment and passion that they brought to cycling. We had a great win today. I might have crossed the line first but it was only thanks to the brilliant work by all my teammates”.
“We’re all really happy, the people have been very welcoming which is fantastic and today is a day for everyone to celebrate".
The 35-year-old could not secure many victories in the 2012 season and his only admirable performance of the year was a fifth overall finish at the Giro d’Italia 2012.
Ryder Hesjedal of Team Garmin-Barracuda claimed the top position with Joaquim Rodriguez Oliver of Team Katusha, Thomas De Gendt of Team Vacansoleil-DCM and Michele Scarponi of Team Lampre-ISD securing the next three positions in the respective order.
The team will enter the new season without the services of Nibali, its top performer in 2012 and all the UCI points earned by the cyclist will go to the new team with him.
Nibali is the team’s top scored in the current season and his exit will certainly disturb the team’s balance in the season ahead.
Team Cannondale managed to claim the third overall spot after the UCI World Tour team’s rankings with a total number of 1197 UCI points with Vincenzo as its top performer with 400 UCI points.
However, with the likes of Peter Sagan, Ivan Basso and Moreno Moser, the team still has enough depth to challenge most of the teams in the season ahead with.
The confidence of winning the Tour de France green jersey will definitely help Sagan at this year’s Tour and he will be the team’s main man for the coming edition of the French race.
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