Elia Viviani: I came to Ineos to have the best possible support for the Paris Olympics

Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers) won stage 1 of the Tour of Guangxi
Elia Viviani (Ineos Grenadiers) won stage 1 of the Tour of Guangxi (Image credit: Getty Images)

Elia Viviani already knew the drill when he joined Ineos Grenadiers at the start of last season. The general classification is the team’s raison d’être at most races on the calendar, and a sprinter must learn to adjust his expectations accordingly.

At QuickStep and Cofidis, Viviani enjoyed a steady diet of sprint opportunities. At Ineos, with the Grand Tours off the menu, he has to make do with altogether more meagre rations. The final weeks of the season, however, offered a chance for Viviani to sate his appetite.

Barry Ryan
Head of Features

Barry Ryan was Head of Features at Cyclingnews. He has covered professional cycling since 2010, reporting from the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and events from Argentina to Japan. His writing has appeared in The Independent, Procycling and Cycling Plus. He is the author of The Ascent: Sean Kelly, Stephen Roche and the Rise of Irish Cycling’s Golden Generation, published by Gill Books.