Expects to lead Italian team
While his bid yesterday to win a stage of the Vuelta a España didn’t work out, Katusha rider Filippo Pozzato is feeling good about his condition heading towards his big season target, the world championships.
“My form is good, I’m getting better and better. Paolo Bettini has said that I am the team leader. He has great confidence in me. I am one of those who can do well,” he told TV2 Sport.
Pozzato is a logical choice if the race is a selective one, although the Italian has a history of choking when the pressure is on. He has taken big victories in the past, though, and hopes to net the rainbow jersey this time round.
He is clear as to who the main rivals are. Gilbert is one who he fears. “He is the most dangerous for the worlds,” he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. “However Hushovd must be really good in order to chase the rainbow jersey. Freire is not going well, but he will be all right in Melbourne.”
He is aware that several outsiders could also surprise, and names two up-and-coming riders as being contenders. “One who must be considered dangerous is Roche. Then there’s Sagan, that kid from Liquigas, he scares me. He is strong.”
National coach Bettini is due to arrive on the race tomorrow and will shortly make his final decision as regards worlds team selection. Alessandro Petacchi is one who could contend if the worlds finishes in a bunch sprint, but his future is uncertain due to a CONI anti-doping investigation.
The Italian team has a fine history in the worlds, winning nineteen times in all. It has been particularly impressive in the past four years, netting a quartet of victories thanks to Mario Cipollini, Bettini [twice, in 2006 and 2007] and Alessandro Ballan.