Italy were never among the biggest favourites for the Worlds but the expectations in the home country are always huge. A 18th place for Giacomo Nizzolo was the disappointing outcome.

"We have done everything possible to control the race as long as we could,” national coach Davide Cassani told Tuttobiciweb. “When the attacks came in the last kilometers, we lacked the strength to be there, but we also knew that this course did not favor our qualities. Ulissi had to bike changes but he was not feeling well and Oss crashed but in the decisive moment we were there. "

"Despite the epilogue of today it was a positive Worlds. We won two silver medals (Adriano Malori and Simone Consonni, ed.) in the areas where we have suffered for a long time, medals that could have been of the most precious metal if it was not for 9 seconds. We got a fourth place and two sixth places. Looking at the names of the blues riders here in Richmond, it is evident that we have good athletes, a demonstration that we are working in the right direction.”

Elia Viviani was the protagonist in the most dangerous breakaway 20 kilometers from the finish, and joined forces with the likes of Kwiatkowski and Boonen. Was it planned?

"No,” he told Tuttobiciweb. “But when riders like Michal Kwiatkowski and Tom Boonen attacked, I thought it was right not to let them go, there had to be an Italian in that move. I joined the break with the intention to control but when we got 30 seconds, I also contributed to the effort, without giving everything since Kwiatkowski would surely try to attack on the climb. At one point I believed in it because we had a good lead, but the group could go much faster in the flat section and the Germans worked so hard to catch us."

Vincenzo Nibali finished 42nd.

"In the last kilometers we were there and we tried to join the dangerous breaks but then the riders suited to this course came to the fore. I want to congratulate Sagan who prepared this race in the best way. Soon after being forced to retire at the Vuelta, he traveled to America, taking all the time to adapt to the time zone and to know the pitfalls of a course that eventually proved tougher than expected,” he told Tuttobiciweb.

"It was a race that was not suited to my skills. I rode for the team, trying to bring the race back on track.”

Matteo Trentin was one of the leaders of the Italian team but came up short.

“I had one shot,” he told Rai Sport. “When you moved and the action was wrong, it was over. When the group of eight riders got clear, Germany chased and on the climb Degenkolb attacked. It was a good move because Degenkolb, two Belgians, Gallopin were there so I followed. I joined them and then I have no idea who had brought the peloton back to us because the gap was pretty big. I am a little disappointed because I had a good feeling but it was the wrong action. We raced well, it is too bad that we did not get any results.”
"It is a pity but I think our group is good. It is a young group, a group that has proven to ride well together. We are young and we have to grow."