Hunter to lead Barloworld's lineup for Milano-Sanremo

Just days after he claimed general classification victory in Portugal's Volta ao Santarém, South Africa's Robert Hunter has been appointed the responsibility of leading his Barloworld squad in the 2007 Milano-Sanremo. The Italian one-day classic is Barloworld's first invitational event of the season and Hunter believes the squad is ready for this Saturday's race.

"The team is gelling to perfection at the moment, and this is an important win for me and the team as we prepare for Milan-Sanremo," Hunter told supercycling.co.za. "It's been a perfect start to the new season, with me winning my country's biggest race, the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Challenge, and now winning in Portugal. I'm starting to enjoy the thrill of winning again, as I last won a staged race almost two years ago."

Hunter will be supported by the experienced Fabrizio Guidi, Giro del Capo winner Alex Efimkin, Giosuè Bonomi, Diego Caccia, Enrico Degano, Paolo Longo Borghini and Kanstantsin Siutsou. The squad, which has taken six wins and 11 second places already in 2007, will have Gianpaolo Cheula and Felix Cardenas as its two reserve riders for Milano-Sanremo.