Selle Italia-Ghezzi presented in Cornaredo

One of the best team in the world for quantity e quality of victories, team Selle Italia-Ghezzi has been presented yesterday in Cornaredo (Milan) in a good frame for the public: there were many photographers, members of the media, Mario Minervino (organizer of the World Cup event in Cittiglio) and representatives of the sponsors of the team, Armando Zamprogna for Selle Italia, Giordano Ghezzi for the new sponsor Ghezzi and Paolo and Alessandro Guerciotti for the homonymous company that provides bikes to the team.
In a very relaxed atmosphere, the chairman Walter Ricci Petitoni and sports directors Walter Zini and Fortunato Lacquaniti unveiled the plans for the season: a very motivated group where all the riders seem to fit in with it well. Among the new arrivals should be noted the former world champion Marta Bastianelli and Luisa Tamanini, that have already been teammates in the past: both are very determined to left behind an undoubtedly troubled 2008 to give their contribution, even in terms of victories, to the team. Team who can always count on the class of Fabiana Luperini that, despite 35 years of age, will give his sixth assault on pink jersey in the Giro d'Italia and his fifth national champion jersey.
«This could be my last season - said Fabiana - but I'm still very motivated. Last year I got victories that have put a significant element in my career: well, who knows, if I'll win the World Championship in Mendrisio I'll be very happy to bring the rainbow jersey for a year».
Very important words about the team also came from Walter Zini: «Compared to previous years the group has an average age a bit lower because Kelley-Seehafer, Oki and Slyussareva have left the team, maybe there is something lacking in terms of experience but I am sure that the youngsters will give an important contribution with their enthusiasm when they are called in question».
The chairman Walter Ricci Petiton puts its focus on sponsors and objectives of the team: "In this period of crisis is never easy to find people willing to invest in women cycling, that's why I really want to thank everyone who helped us. We hope to reciprocate the trust with many victories, perhaps even in the Giro d'Italia which will, like every year, our main goal and a race in which we want to be protagonist. Repeat 2008 season will not be easy but we have all it takes to succeed».

Here are the 15 athletes for the 2009 season
Confirmed
- Giada Borgato
- Sigrid Corneo
- Lorena Foresi
- Oxana Kozonchuk (Russia)
- Fabiana Luperini
- Gloria Presti
- Marina Romoli
- Silvia Valsecchi

New riders
- Agne Bagdonaviciute (Lithuania)
- Marta Bastianelli
- Kaytee Boyd (New Zealand)
- Laura Bozzolo
- Martine Bras (Holland)
- Luisa Tamanini
- Sabrina Zogli


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