As is the case with several other big-name riders such as Denis Menchov, Damiano Cunego is currently weighing up options prior to making a definite judgement on where he will compete next season.
The 28 year old Italian has been with the Lampre team for the past six years but there is a lot of speculation that he could be heading elsewhere. He has been linked with possible moves to Team Sky, Garmin and Team Geox; he gives few hints as to the front-runners, but says that everything will be completed very soon.
"We can say that is a difficult choice,” he told Tuttobici. “There are many proposals that have to be carefully evaluated. I never found Lampre to be a wrong choice, so to go away is not easy. However next week will put an end to all hypotheses, as finally I will decide my future.
“I still can’t say much because the subject is a delicate one, but in a few days all will be revealed.”
During his six seasons with Lampre, Cunego has developed into a different style of rider than was originally anticipated. He won the Giro d’Italia during his final year with the Saeco team and, because he was just 22 at the time, it was expected that he would go on to land more Grand Tours.
Instead, he has become more a competitor for the one day events. He won the Giro di Lombardia in 2004, 2007 and 2008, and took the Amstel Gold Race two years ago. He also nabbed the Klasika Primavera and finished second behind compatriot Alessandro Ballan in the world championships.
Last year, he raced to two mountain stage victories in the Vuelta a España and picked up the winner’s trophy in the Settimana internazionale di Coppi e Bartali. He hoped to win the world championships but ultimately placed eighth.
He has been racing in Italy this week, building form for the upcoming GP Ouest France in Plouay. Cunego will also compete in the two new ProTour races to be held in Canada next month.
Further ahead, the world championship road race in Geelong is a possibility, but much will depend on his form. He’s undoubtedly a talented rider, but he is also known for having periods of inconsistency.