Visa issues will determine if team can take part in Indian 1.1-ranked events
Fresh from overall victory in the Tour de Langkawi, the Androni Giocattoli team is waiting to hear if it will be a participant in the upcoming Tour de Mumbai.
“We will find out this week if we are able to get visas in time for the races,” said general manager Gianni Savio, one day after the Malaysian tour finished. “We travel all around the world to races and generally don’t need to have visas, but we must get them for India. Hopefully they come through as we’d like to compete there.”
The event comprises two 1.1-ranked contests, taking place on February 11th and 13th. ProTour teams Liquigas and RadioShack are amongst those which have already been confirmed, as has the American Pro Continental squad Team Type 1.
Savio’s riders have performed strongly thus far this season, with Jonathan Monsalve (pictured) taking the prestigious Genting Highland stage of the Tour de Langkawi plus the overall classification. Roberto Ferrari and Jose Serpa took three stages between them in the Tour de San Luis, with Serpa finishing second overall and also taking second in the Giro della Provincia di Reggio Calabria. Emanuele Sella was third overall in the Tour de Langkawi.
“We are very happy with the start of the season,” said Savio. “Performing well in the Tour de Langkawi was important, and it is very good to see Jonathan Monsalve ride so well in his first big professional race. He is going to be a very good rider.”
The team is planning a good Italian racing programme in the spring, and hopes to challenge for the Giro d’Italia with Jose Rujano. The Venezuelan was third overall in the 2005 Giro, picking up a stage win at Sestrière and also taking the King of the Mountains title. He hasn’t ridden to the same level since but Savio says that he is confident the 28 year old is back on track and will turn heads this season.