Italian World's team named

Italian selector Franco Ballerini has named a sprinter-heavy line up for the World Championships road race in Madrid. With Alessandro Petacchi and Paolo Bettini as team captains, it's clear that Ballerini wants to have the strongest possible line up if it comes down to a bunch sprint. 11 riders have been named, from which nine will be chosen as the final squadra azzurra: Alessandro Petacchi, Marco Velo, Matteo Tosatto, Lorenzo Bernucci (Fassa Bortolo), Paolo Bettini, Filippo Pozzato, Luca Paolini, Davide Bramati (Quick.Step), Daniele Bennati, Alessandro Ballan (Lampre), Giovanni Lombardi (CSC).

Marco Pinotti (Saunier Duval) and Marzio Bruseghin (Fassa Bortolo) will ride in the time trial.

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