Management and a team bike (Image credit: Sirotti)
Pro Continental team Naturino-Sapore di Mare were unveiled Thursday, in Italy. Although a new outfit, they have gained the services of the experienced Francesco Casagrande to guide their young riders through the new Professional Continental racing format - the next rung down from the ProTour. Representatives from Naturino, including their president joined directors Vincenzo Santoni, Giuseppe Petito and Antonio Salutini in launching the new squad.
The team is made up of remnants of the former Domina Vacanze squad, after a mass exodus including Mario Cipollini took place at the end of 2004. 19-year-old Valerio Agnoli featured with Casagrande at the presentation, displaying new SAB bikes and their distinctive canary yellow uniforms. It was a low-key affair, with sponsors confident the team can be competitive within the new competition format.
