Astana Cycling Team

SIMONE PONZI CALLED UP FOR ITALIAN NATIONAL TEAM TRAINING

Pro Team Astana rider to join Azzurri training camp from Tuesday to Thursday

Milan, Italy, 28th February, 2012 – Simone Ponzi's adventure with Italy’s senior national team begins today. The Pro Team Astana rider has been selected for coach Paolo Bettini's training camp in Venturina (Italy) until Friday, after which he will re-join Astana for the Strade Bianche on Saturday.

Speaking about his call-up, Ponzi said: “I am very happy to have received my first call-up as a professional. I have already taken part in four World Championships in the junior category but this is a different feeling altogether, even if it is just for a get-together at the moment. The camp will allow us to get to know each other better and build team spirit. It is a great honour for me to be considered for the national team. This year there are the Olympics as well as the World Championships and I want to do as well as possible so that I can be selected.”

“I will need to have a good year to stand a chance of achieving this goal. From Saturday onwards I want to be at the front and show my worth. The season is just getting into gear, I feel good and my condition is improving. Next week there is the Tirreno–Adriatico, where we will have Roman Kreuziger as our captain, and I will ride to support him. If the right chance comes along I will try to win a stage.”