Marrone calls for calm on Giro invites

The announcement by Giro d'Italia organiser RCS of the first 20 teams to be invited to its showcase event has left some Italian teams under pressure from fans. ProTour squads Cofidis, Euskaltel-Euskadi, Française des Jeux and Fuji-Servetto have not received an invitation, nor has Italian Professional Continental outfit Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce.

Ceramica Flaminia-Bossini Docce manager Roberto Marrone has called for patience from supporters, however. The absence of his team means that the Italian national champion's jersey, worn this season by Filippo Simeoni, will be missing from the roads of Italy in May, something that has caused unrest amongst fans.

"I'm sorry for what is happening following the failure to announce that one of the first teams at the Centenary Giro was Flaminia Bossini," said Marrone in a statement. "I understand that the jersey of the Italian champion underlines the patronage of all the fans, but I would urge everyone to be calm and wait confidently for the final list of starters.

"The last two teams to be invited to the Giro or those that will ride Tirreno-Adriatico and Milano-Sanremo have not yet been disclosed," he continued. "We are convinced to have all the ethical requirements, plus technical, historical and financial institutions to be selected. We expect a positive decision, and invite our fans and supporters to do likewise."