Ivan Basso will make start the second part of his season later today when he lines up at the Tour of Austria at the helm of the Cannondale team. He will share the captaincy role with Damiano Caruso who missed out on Tour de France selection.

The focus of Cannondale Pro Cycling will be divided between France and Austria during the upcoming week. Along with the Tour de France, the Green Machine will race July 6th through July 13th at the 66th Tour of Austria. With three summit finishes, one individual time trial, three mixed stages and one day for Sprinters, the race will be a great chance for the eight riders of the Green Machine to chase personal glory.

On the mountains Ivan Basso, Damiano Caruso and George Bennett will be the key riders of Cannondale Pro Cycling. The two Italians and Kiwi are also the ones charged with seeking a prestigious result in GC. Oscar Gatto will play his chances in the stages suited for breakaways and stage hunters, while home rider Matthias Krizek will have extra-motivation racing in front of his family, friends, and the people of Austria. Young guns Alberto Bettiol, Matej Mohoric and Davide Villella will put a new, important experience in their baggage with this eight-day stage race as part of their development, as well as to play the role of the outsiders.

“The characteristics of the riders we selected offer us the opportunity to be protagonist almost every day” said team director Dario Mariuzzo, who will lead the team with Biagio Conte. “We have the talent to do well and I expect also a strong motivation to stand out.”