‘My dreams are Sanremo, Flanders and Gent-Wevelgem’

Elia Viviani can allow himself to dream of the Olympics and the Classics today. Yesterday, he won Italy’s season opener, the GP Etruschi. Sprint greats Mario Cipollini and Alessandro Petacchi once dominated the one-day race, which yesterday, highlighted Italy’s newest talent.

“My goal is the Olympics in London in 2012,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “My dreams are Sanremo, Flanders and Gent-Wevelgem.”

Viviani has several medals on the track from junior and under 23 level championships. He wants to keep a track focus to race the Omimum at the Olympics, but also develop his road career. Last year, he began racing professionally with team Liquigas.

“I learn the art of the track – dodge, slide, run, fly – and transfer them to the road – climbs and descents, including the cobbled roads of the north. And, of course, the sprints. I like to improvise: group sprints, from small groups… If I have to do it all myself, I’ll do it, if there’s a train, I’ll take it,” added Viviani.

“Between Petacchi and [Mark] Cavendish, I choose Boonen. Not so much for the sprints, but for his ability to face the cobbled roads and climbs.”

Viviani was born near Verona nearly 22 years ago – tomorrow he celebrates his birthday. With track and road racing, he has travelled the world, from Cuba to Turkey, from Belgium to Australia.

“I am a wanderer. Now, I will participate in two road races in Mumbai, India, then the World Cup on track in Manchester. Spending more time in airports than at home, where I put stuff in the wash, take the clean items and re-pack my suitcase.”

After Manchester, Viviani will race on the road. He will sample Belgian’s cobbles and cross-winds at the Three Days of De Panne. In May, he will take his suitcase to the Tour of California.

Key data:
 – Born February 7, 1989
– From Isola della Scala
– 1.78cm, 67kg

Wins (2010-2011):
 – Vuelta a Cuba, stage win
– Tour of Turkey, stage win
– Giro delle Tre Provincie
– La Popolarissima
– Memorial Marco Pantani
– Memorial Frank Vandenbroucke
– GP Etruschi

Track:
– Bronze: Junior team pursuit & Madison at Worlds
– Gold: Under 23 scratch (twice) & Madison at European Championships.