Franzoi hopeful of Roubaix return

Enrico Franzoi of Team Liquigas is hopeful of a return to racing with the Paris-Roubaix. The 25 year-old Italian from Veneto was involved in a crash early on in the Ronde van Vlaanderen last Sunday, where he banged his left kneecap.

"The swelling has gone down with respect to yesterday," he noted. "This [yesterday - ed.] morning, with my team-mates, I rode for an hour and a half."

Last year, while riding for Team Lampre-Fondital, he entered into an early escape to help provide coverage for then-team-leader Alessandro Ballan. Liquigas counts on Franzoi this year to help Italian Filippo Pozzato achieve victory after 259.5 kilometres of racing in northern France.

Team Director Sportif, Mario Scirea, noted the return of Franzoi with enthusiasm. "The fact that already this morning, Enrico was in the saddle [riding] is a good signal," he stated. "Together with the medical staff, we will continue to evaluate his condition of the next days, but, as of now, all of the requirements are met to see Franzoi racing on Sunday."