Does he deserve the worlds? Yes! He had a very good season, awesome results on similar races including that other one on the Cauberg and huge potential for the future!
But is he allowed to still join after missing the first selections?
@Ian: I agree! Riding the world's in such age is a gift without equal! Sadly for Puccio, Italy's national team has abandoned the rule about not participating with former dopers, so they'll still be taken into consideration...
@poiup11: Thank you! I'm glad to see that you've followed and has been able to use my work constructively
@Ollfardh: When looking back now, i agree. He does deserve a spot on the team, and especially with a route like this year's. But whether he'll be allowed to compeed for a possible lineup position, is a great question...
This is the riders, who has been chosen in the 2nd round, for Italy's national team:
Giovanni Visconi
Filippo Pozzato
Daniele Pietropolli
Luca Paolini
Daniel Oss
Rinaldo Nocentini
Moreno Moser
Marco Marcato
Enrico Gasparotto
Dario Cataldo
Alessandro Ballan
Agreed with Jesleyh, depending on Marcato's season, he might steal his win. Obviously in a serving role, but even so it's a great opportunity, let's hope for it!
@Jesleyh and Ian: First of all, Paolini is secured to participate, with Pozzato being in the lineup - It's a strong demand from Pozzato, and Paolini's experience in the World's is too priceless.
But on to Marcato. He haven't had the greatest season, without any tremendous victories. But he has been riding the Vuelta, specifically to build up shape to the World's, and actually even won stage 5... hmm
@Ollfardh: Bettini would never scratch Ballan - He's a lot better than Salvatore, especially when talking about the extreme race length. But Oss would seem like a possible solution. They're quite similar i think.
@aidanvn13: Thanks
We'll see, but keep in mind that there is 11 right now. For the race, there will only be 9. So Salvatore would have to beat 3 riders to secure a spot in the road race
Well, to be realistic, Puccio might miss out of the Worlds. However, the profile is hilly and if you look at his results in the hilly races, it's amazing. He deserves a spot
@Jesleyh: I wish it was that easy. Let's see what Bettini says
@Csabi13: Mighty words. Thanks! I'm glad to have you onboard
@Ian: Salvatore has made better results than some of the other contenders, but the World's are quite a big mouthful, and either way, he's going to have his shot in a couple of years for certain
We're looking to close all the escapees down, and set up an ideal position for Thomas to a final sprint, and that's actually our primary objective for todays race. But Urán is also looking to prove himself worthy on the climbs, which suits him very well, and we may therefore also see him in a breakaway
We'll have a lot to offer today, and we'll try to show it clearly!"
But later on, both Konovalovas, Quemeneur, Righi and Meier, also wanted to compeed at the front, and tried to catch the 4 riders in front.
With 150 kms to the finish line, the two breakaways were united in one and formed a group of eight strong riders.
In the pack, the pace was low and relaxing. Everyone seemed to have accepted the breakaway, and several different teams took their turn at the front, with Garmin, Liquigas and Vacansoleil as prime mover.
Going further into the race, the morningbreak seemed to work exceptionally well together. With 100 kms to go, they had already reached a gap of six minutes, which constantly seemed to grow.
Especially Acqua & Sapone didn't seem to like this scenario, and send a lot of their riders to the front. Betancur had to feel great! Also Astana and Vacansoleil were relaying at the front. The battle had begun!
At the start of the third last lap, Astana rode onto the Mont-Royal in a tremendous pace, with the breakaway still hanging on well.
But the breakaway had managed yet another ascend of the Mont-Royal, and was looking to take on another. With a 2 minute gap to the pack, the riders were riding towards the second last ascend.
In the pack, a little sense of frustration began to appear. Vacansoleil gave in everything for their leader, De Gendt, with the breakaway now being an actual threat to the win. We also send both Rowe and Kennaugh to the front, to assure no mistakes were made.
When going onto the second last ascend, Gasparotto fired away with no one being able to follow him! Kennaugh and Rowe quickly upped the pace significantly, while Vacansoleil began to drew back.
But Gasparotto was too strong, and quickly caught the morning-breakaway. On the flat section after the hill, De Gendt also wanted to get away! He made it all the way up to the breakaway alone, showing what incredible shape he is in at the moment.
But the breakaway had grown too dangerous, and I was send to the front with Siutsou, to pull them all back. Before going into the final lap, we had managed to eliminate the breakaway completely!
On the final ascend of the Mont-Royal, Gasparotto flew away once again. What an incredible effort! Urán wasn't even near catching him, even though he gave his all to follow him uphill.
While i tried to hang up with Thomas in the middle of the pack, focussing on a possible sprint, all the other favorites took on the work at the front. Urán was still lying in between the pack and Gasparotto, with the Italian looking really strong at the very front of the race.
In the pack, several teams gave their all to reel in both Gasparotto and Urán. But even though Urán seemed to be close to the pack, then Gasparotto had already managed to get a great gap. With Thomas in my rear wheel, i rode to the front, being his leadout for the final.
As Urán was caught, I passed Wynants at once. I only had to continue until the one kilometre banner, so i gave my everything to put Thomas into the perfect position.
As planned, Thomas began to go right around me when nearing the final banner. Together with Iglinskiy and Betancur, the four of us had already created a little gap to the rest of the pack.
It looked as though Thomas and Iglinskiy would have to fight for 2nd, as i began to fall back. Should Astana really take a double today?
Without any doubt, Gasparotto crosses the line in first! Incomparable to the rest of the pack, he was by far the strongest today, managing to attack twice at the steep section of the Mont-Royal!
And as expected, Thomas and Iglinskiy was the fastest in the sprint, where Geraint Thomas luckily drew the longest straw, avoiding Astana in taking the double!
Yet again, Thomas makes a fantastic result in the sprint! Everything went after the plan we made this morning, except for Gasparotto's breakaway! What an amazing effort he showed out there. He will definitely be a top contender for the World's in about a week or so.
Urán shows great initiative by trying to follow Enrico, and even though he gets reeled in on the final kilometres, he manages to stay in between the pack and Gasparotto for a long time. Talking about my own feelings for this race, i think i did well. First when drawing in the breakaway at the second last lap with Siutsou, and thereafter doing a fine job for Thomas in the sprint. I think i can be proud of that.
I'm going back to Italy now, with a little break from racing lying ahead of me. I'm excited to soon announce the team i have signed for, which i did just ahead of the start of the Canadian classics. So stay tuned in the upcomming days! Oh, and by the way, the Vuelta just ended today with Contador being crowned as winner. So congrats to him! - More details will come in the monthly review of September.
