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Stefano Oldani aims to shine again in front of home crowd, but Cofidis also focuses on Polish sprinter in Giro
CyclingTuesday, 30 April 2024 at 10:46
Team Cofidis announced its selection for the Giro d'Italia (May 4-26) on Tuesday morning. The French WorldTour team will start with many attackers, but also with a dedicated sprinter.
Stefano Oldani is likely to keep all eyes on him. The 26-year-old Italian, who was riding for Alpecin-Deceuninck last year, wants to shine in front of his home crowd, just like last year, mainly targeting the transitional stages. Oldani won the twelfth stage to Genoa in 2022 and finished in the top ten five times last year, although he didn't have a fantastic spring. It started promisingly with two top ten finishes in Mallorca, but then the Italian's form completely faded.
Cofidis team director wants his riders to view each stage "as a classic"
The internal dynamics within the team are still uncertain, but it is possible that Oldani might have to work for Stanislaw Aniolkowski in the flat stages. The 27-year-old Pole has sprinted to top-five finishes in the UAE Tour and Tirreno-Adriatico this season. Frenchman Benjamin Thomas should make an impact in the two time trials, while German Simon Geschke, Spaniard Ruben Fernandez and Frenchman Thomas Champion will have to make their mark from breakaways. The 23-year-old Briton Harrison Wood and 26-year-old Frenchman Nicolas Debeaumarché are facing their first grand tour.
"It's possible that we may find ourselves at a significant disadvantage in the general classification after the first two stages, which provides opportunities for the rest of the race," team director Roberto Damiani said in a later press release. "From our side, we need to view each stage as a classic. We're counting on Benjamin Thomas in the two time trials and on Stanislaw Aniolkowski and Stefano Oldani in the bunch sprints. Additionally, we must be opportunistic and read the race well. Last year, the peloton sometimes let go of the breakaway all the way. Thomas Champion was even in the breakaway the longest. Ruben Fernandez and Simon Geschke can also take their chances. I am confident that our team can win at least once during the three weeks."
Il Lombardia 2024
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Latest Comments
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024
- This is not a gravel race. UCI fail, from the surface they are on to team tactics. In what country was the first "gravel race" in what country is the most popular gravel race? Go with the race model that created the discipline.
Barnes127411-10-2024 - And don't forget he has now won 4 of the big 10 races (Grand tours, Monuments and WC/OG) in one year with a chance to make that 5. (5 has only been done once before)Joostmehrtens05-10-2024