Italian team to train together and race more often ahead of Copenhagen World Championships

The Italian team will meet to train and race more often ahead of the World Championships next year in Copenhagen. Head coach Paolo Bettini announced his decision on Friday at a meeting of Italian sports directors in Sesto Fiorentino, Italy.

“In 2011,” Bettini told La Gazzetta dello Sport, “we will see the national jersey more often in the peloton.”

This year, Bettini received permission from the organiser of the Giro del Veneto to practice his new role as national coach and field an Italian team. Various teams lent him their riders to construct a Worlds test team.

Bettini needed the practice since he took over the head coach role on June 23. The post was left vacant after former head coach, Franco Ballerini died from injuries suffered in a rally car crash on February 7 in Larciano, Italy. Under Ballerini, Bettini won the World Championships twice (2006 & 2007) and the 2004 Olympic title.

He believes the Giro del Veneto practice was helpful ahead of the World Championships in Geelong, Australia, on October 3.

“The experience went well this year and gave me the desire to continue it,” Bettini said.

“First, with the group riders who will possibly race the Worlds – the azzurrabili – organised in two camps of four days each. Then meet as a national team in a few important Italian races. I think it would be a young team with one or two experienced guys. I would also like to form the group once for an international race, and maybe at the pre-Olympic race in London.”

Italy is one of the most successful nations at the World Championships, winning the title four times in the first 10 years and four times in the last 10 years. However, the country has failed to win a gold medal in the time trial discipline since it was introduced in 1994.

This year, Italy went unrepresented in the time trial since its main contender Marco Pinotti pulled out due to an ear infection.

“We can’t allow for a similar scene,” said Bettini. “I am asking to the sports directors for cooperation to support this discipline. You need to encourage the riders who have the ability to race time trials. The best will be invited to my mini-camps, I already have seven or eight names in mind.”

Pinotti is a four-time national champion and placed fourth last year at the World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland.