TEAM PROFILE Country: Italy Team manager: Bruno Cenghialta Team leaders: Ivan Gotti Chief lieutenant: Pietro Caucchioli Best Tour: 2002 - Ivan Gotti, 23rd |
Alessio have opted for more of the same in 2003, with little change in their team line-up for this year's race. Last year they were steady if unspectacular and Ivan Gotti led the way in the overall classification with 23rd place.
They fared much better in last year's Giro d'Italia where they were the number one team.
Pietro Caucchioli was third in the individual standings, Gotti was 13th and Franco Pellizotti fared well in 17th.
Cauchioli has since extended his contract with the team.
The Italians have great strength in depth with former double Giro winner Gotti, one of the old men of the team at 34 and still competitive in the major races.
The 27-year-old Caucchioli and 25-year-old Pellizotti look the bright young talents of the team.
Pellizotti had previously proved his class in the Grand Tours with 20th in La Vuelta last year.
He also notched up two professional victories last season.
Daniele de Poli offers great back-up in the mountains, while Laurent Dufaux's previous experience can never be discounted.
After having put so much into the Giro it remains to be seen what the team can conjure up in Le Tour.
MMIX
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