Italian team dedicated to late head coach Franco Ballerini
This weekend two-time rainbow jersey Paolo Bettini will oversee his World Championships as head coach of the Italian team. The “cricket” from La California in Tuscany is confident that he has picked the right nine riders to deliver the Azzuri their fourth men’s elite rainbow jersey in five years.
Although Bettini picked this team though, there is no doubt whom it is dedicated to: Bettini’s predecessor Franco Ballerini, who tragically died in a rally car accident in February.
“This is the national team of Franco,” Bettini told la Repubblica, “and the fact that he wanted me in his lead car in Mendrisio made me think that the handover happened there.
“On Sunday we ride for him,” he added.
The team will ride with a message on their jerseys in memory of Ballerini, saying: “Ballero sempre con noi” (Ballero always with us).
While the Italians will be among the strongest teams to take the rainbow jersey in Sunday’s road race, with captains like classics specialist Filippo Pozzato and Vuelta a España winner Vincenzo Nibali. They will have no representation in Thursday’s time trial, after the late withdrawal of national champion Marco Pinotti.
“Pinotti is definitely the best man for this circuit,” said Bettini, “but unfortunately he was ill shortly before his departure. So, we won’t be present in the time trial and this will allow us to focus even more ahead of Sunday’s race.”
While Bettini and the Italian team is hoping for a victory for the suadra azzura on Sunday, before that they are all waiting to hear about another Italian victory, with the announcement of the city that will host the 2013 Worlds to be announced on Wednesday.
The capital of Bettini’s home region is one of the front runners in a race, which could see Italy host the Championships for the fourth time in 15 years.
“We’ve officially entered the climate of the World Championships,” he said. “This year however, in addition to the results in the race that we try for another victory, we hope that on Wednesday will be the awarding of the 2013 World Championships to Florence. A goal that, if reached, would be dedicated to Franco Ballerini and to our mentor Alfredo Martini.”
While the whole Italian squad will wear the jersey dedicated to Ballerini, the women’s team will also carry a message of hope for Marina Romoli, who was badly injured in a training accident in June.