Changes for top Italian teams Liquigas and Lampre
Italy’s Damiano Cunego is on the hunt for a new team, ready for a change of air from current team Lampre-Farnese.
He may join Italy’s top stage racer, Ivan Basso, at team Liquigas. Their goals will not clash since, as of last year, Cunego wants to win stages in Grand Tours, shorter stage races and one-day races.
Cunego started his career aiming for Grand Tours and won the Giro d’Italia in 2004. However, in recent years he has re-forced, winning the Giro di Lombardia three times, the Amstel Gold in 2008 and two stages of last year’s Vuelta a España.
At the Tour de France in the last three weeks, he was in several escapes, but was unable to take a win. His past wins and his ride at in France, though, did catch the attention of teams.
Teams Sky, Garmin and recently, Saxo Bank are considering Cunego. But with Liquigas Cunego will find two of his biggest rivals: Giovanni Visconti and Vincenzo Nibali.
Liquigas’ team manager, Roberto Amadio, had to manage four top stage racers this year and if he signs Cunego he will be overflowing with one-day stars. Visconti, who will join from team ISD-Neri, has already demonstrated his ability to be a faithful team-mate at the World Championships last year in Mendrisio.
Lampre boss, Giuseppe Saronni, is preparing for big changes as well.
Saronni has noted the availability of OmegaPharma-Lotto’s sports director, Roberto Damiani. The Italian’s contract ends this year (at the same time Cadel Evans’ contract was set to end) and may leave. In addition to helping Evans fight to the top of the Tour de France, Damiani worked for Fassa Bortolo and the Mapei youth team.
Damiani’s experience will be helpful for Saronni’s two new stage racers: Michele Scarponi (4th at the Giro d’Italia) and Danilo Di Luca (2007 winner). Both riders are not without controversy; Scarponi served a suspension for his involvement in Operación Puerto and Danilo Di Luca is serving a suspension for an EPO positive.
Saronni has space to fill though, with Cunego’s likely departure and with Petacchi in trouble with a doping investigation.