92nd Giro d'Italia - Liquigas/Doimo Squad Announced
Roberto Amadio comments on the team that will support co-captains Ivan Basso and Franco Pellizotti at the May 9th start in Venice.

Liquigas/Doimo for the Giro d’Italia
Basso and Pellizotti co-captains with  a reliable and expert line-up.
The 9th of May has been circled many month on the calendar of Liquigas-Doimo house. That Saturday, in fact, will begin the Giro d’Italia, declared goal of the green and blue team.

Ivan Basso pre start for Liege race on Sunday.
Photo © 2009 Yoni Peeters

"We have selected a reliable and balanced line up," explained team manager Roberto Amadio, "able to make a difference both on flats and climbs. The rest, obviously, will be done by our captains, Ivan Basso and Franco Pellizotti."

Amadio excluded any possible problems between the two riders, from January untill today have ridden the the routes to the Giro and worked well together.

 "They are two intelligent guys that know well how very important this race is for the team. We have already seen, in past, the champions help each other for a common cause. I think that after the time trial of Sestri Levante we will know who of the the two captains has a greater chance."

The long distance riders selected to assist Basso and Pellizotti will be Kjell Carlström, Manuel Quinziato, Gorazd Stangelj and Alessandro Vanotti. "Four experienced riders, able to control the race and to dictate the rhythm in the lead of the peloton." affirmed Amadio. "Their work will be valuable, for example, to control the dangerous escapes and to protect the captain on plains." 

When the road goes up, Valerio Agnoli, Vladimir Miholjevic and Sylwester Szmyd will return to the center of the action, Their qualities will support the attacks of Basso and Pellizotti on the climbs and then to defend them from the ambushes. in this aspect, we anticipate a very hard Giro."

 Daniele Bennati to miss Giro
However a negative note has arrived from the infirmary: Daniele Bennati hasn’t recovered from his Tirreno-Adriatico’s injury and have to forfeit his position. "I don’t want to hide my disappointment to lose a rider like him in the sprint finishes, " said Amadio. "Daniele, knows we can’t give a guarantee, we don’t want to compromise the balance of the team. Now his goal is to prepare for the Tour de France where he will ride to win as many stages as possible."

In the managers car, with Amadio, will be directeur sportif Stefano Zanatta and Mario Chiesa.

Liquigas/Doimo Giro d'Italia Squad
Ivan Basso
Franco Pellizotti
Kjell Carlström
Manuel Quinziato
Gorazd Stangelj
Valerio Agnoli
Vladimir Miholjevic
Sylwester Szmyd

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