USC Chirio Forno d'Asolo presented

The official presentation of the Chirio-Forno d'Asolo-Tre Colli-Idea Quick women's team was held in the Asolo Golf Club a Cavaso del Tomba (Treviso, Italy) on Monday, March 7. The is in its fifth year of existence and numbers 20 riders, with Franco Chirio (manager), Antonio Fanelli and the recently retired Alessandra Cappellotto (team directors) forming the core staff.

Manager Franco Chirio expressed his satisfaction at signing track specialist Giorgia Bronzini, who has already tasted success on the road this year at Brissago last weekend. "We have considerably broadened our roster," said Chirio. "Because the particular placement of the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in the calendar hinders an athlete from participating in both stage races. Since we are invited to the Giro and the Tour and we want to honour both engagements, it was necessary to prepare two balanced squads. For this reason, other than Bronzini, we have signed champions such as Australian Kathy Watt, Olympic gold medalist in Barcelona '92, and Japanese Miho Oki, third overall in the recent Tour of New Zealand."

Team director Antonio Fanelli indicated that any race is fair game for his riders. "Bronzini showed that she was in top condition by winning in Brissago, and with her, we are thinking of San Remo, the first big appointment of the season."

"Our company is entering its 20th year of existence," said Fabio Gallina, team president and representative of the main sponsor, Forno d'Asolo. "An anniversary of Forno d'Asolo represents an important achievement and we hope to be able to celebrate the racing season at a high level. It seems to me that the essential requirements are all there."

The team roster is as follows: Giorgia Bronzini (Ita), Kathy Watt and Rebecca McConnell (Aus), Miho Oki (Jpn), Uenia Fernandes and Clemilda Fernandes (Bra), Lorenza Morfin (Mex), Tatsiana Sharakova (Blr), Dori Ruano (Spa), Valeria Pintos (Arg), Francesca Castrucci, Marina Chirio, Barbara Cazzaniga, Lavinia Tofanelli, Francesca Lotti, Samantha Profumo, Francesca Aluigi, Marika Raina, Silvia Bollea and Daniela Porta (all Ita).