Garzelli leads Acqua & Sapone in Tirreno

The "Red Team," Acqua & Sapone-Caffè Mokambo, has announced its eight-man line up for the 2007 Tirreno-Adriatico, March 14 - 20. The team, based in Le Marche, will be led by 2000 Giro d'Italia winner Stefano Garzelli, who will have the support of Dario Andriotto, Alexandr Arekeev, Gabriele Balducci, Massimo Codol, Simone Masciarelli, Giuseppe Muraglia and Michele Scarponi. Directing the team will be Bruno Cenghialta and Franco Gini.

"I believe that we will have tough team that will be able to fight for stages and the overall victory," confirmed Cenghialta. "Garzelli and Scarponi left the Vuelta a Murcia in optimum condition, and this Tirreno-Adriatico is adapted well to their abilities; a very tense and challenging parcours that leaves us high hopes."

"Our team has good organization, we have selected eight men that are able to be protagonists in all of the stages," added Gini. "Balducci will be our man for the sprints, Arekeev and Masciarelli for the tense finales, and Garzelli, together with Scarponi, can have a chance for the final overall."

33 year-old Garzelli confirmed Gini and Cenghialta's plan. "I am very satisfied with my form, I believe that all is in place to have a great Tirreno-Adriatico," he said. "It is a very challenging course. I will particularly keep an eye on the stage to San Giacomo, where, together with my teammate Scarponi, we are able to play tactical games with our adversaries."