BARDIANI-CSF TO THE RACE OF THE TWO SEAS
Starting on Wednesday, March 8, Tirreno-Adriatico is drawing cycling’s attention on 2017 edition. The “Race of The Two Seas” includes seven stages, ending on March 14, and traditionally introduces the long spring season of cycling. Seventh event of UCI World Tour calendar, Tirreno-Adriatico will be for sure the most challenging test for Bardiani-CSF since the beginning of the season.
Line up – Team directors Stefano Zanatta and Roberto Reverberi decided to select the squad combining experience and good form. Nicola Ruffoni will be sprints leader; Nicola Boem, Simone Andreetta, Mirco Maestri and Alessandro Tonelli will form the rouleurs’ group; Luca Wackermann will be the man for the climbs and, last but not least, Enrico Barbin and Simone Velasco, the all-rounders for mixed routes.
Quote – “Tirreno-Adriatico will be a hard test for everyone, the most demanding race to prove riders’ condition so far” said Zanatta. “From our side, we need to raise the level of our performances and giving continuity. After one month racing all over the world, we want to make a quality step. We know how hard be the challenge, but we don’t have to give up. I want to see the riders focused on the race, giving their best – this will make me satisfied”.
Facts – Bardiani-CSF took three top ten stage placements in the four editions of Tirreno-Adriatico raced – 7th Fortin in 2014, 8th Ruffoni in 2015 and 9th Colbrelli in 2016 – while in 2012, with team Colnago-CSF-Bardiani, Pirazzi won the Mountain Classification. Mirco Maestri, Luca Wackermann and Simone Velasco will attend the race for the first time in their career. Team average age is 25 years old, with Boem the oldest (27) and Velasco the youngest (21). Since the beginning of the season the #GreenTeam has raced in eight competition (fours stages races and four road races) for 27 days total. In season palmares, one win (Barbin at Tour de Langkawi), one podium and fifteen top ten placements fo far.