The Italian Liquigas team is naming no less than four captains for Saturday's Classicissima, the almost 300-kilometer long Milano-Sanremo. Daniele Bennati, Roman Kreuziger, Vincenzo Nibali and Franco Pellizotti will all get to play their cards, depending on the race situation. They will have the support of domestiques Valerio Agnoli, Daniel Oss, Manuel Quinziato and Fabio Sabatini.
Directeurs Sportifs Mario Scirea and Alberto Volpi made the careful cut . "We selected the best line-up at this moment to make the race hard and thin the group. Bennati showed good form and will be our leader in a sprint. Nibali, Pellizotti and Kreuziger will be in charge to elevate the rhythm when the road goes up and to follow the breaks after Le Manie."
The helpers will play an important role in the early part of the longest classic of the season. "I rely on Agnoli, Oss, Quinziato and Sabatini; the strength of this group could make the difference."
Bennati has a special wish for the end. "I hope for a sprint arrival with a small group of riders. The climb of Le Manie will be the critical point of the race. Many riders are in good condition, and these are not only sprinters. We cannot be off guard."
Nibali is hoping to create a surprise, especially in the final two climbs of the Cipressa and the Poggio. "I think there will bagarre (fight) and I will be ready. At Tirreno-Adriatico I refined my condition and, if the opportunity arises, I'm confident to be competitive."