Worlds Image Gallery: Italy set to go in Switzerland

Luca Paolini and Ivan Basso lead the huge Italian squad on a training ride around Mendrisio

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World Championship favorites make themselves at home in Mendrisio

The Italian national cycling team have arrived in Mendrisio, Switzerland for the 2009 World Road Championships. The squad have wasted no time in building the rapport that will be key to their hopes of a third successive Elite World Championship road title. On the eve of the Championships, Franco Ballerini's men took to the courses that will decide who will take possession of the six rainbow jerseys on offer this week.

Italian photographer Roberto Bettini was on the ground to capture the Italian team's arrival and one of their final training rides before the action kicks off with the Under-23 time trial on Wednesday.

Click here to view all the images of the Italians' final preparations for the 2009 World Championships.

Giovanni Visconti and Ivan Basso train with the Italian team prior to the 2009 World Championships.

Franco Ballerini greets last year's World Champion Alessandro Ballan.

Matteo Tossato gets strapped in for an Italian team training ride.

Click here to view all the images of the Italians' final preparations for the 2009 World Championships.

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