National team manager Paolo Bettini has done nothing to hide that Vincenzo Nibali will lead the Italian squad at the world championships in Florence but the Italian may already have selected 8 rider to the 9-rider roster. According to Gazzetta della Sport, the Giro champion will be joined Luca Paolini, Ivan Santaromita, Rinaldo Nocentini, Diego Ulissi, Filippo Pozzato, Franco Pellizotti and Fabio Aru for the big race on his home soil.

Vincenzo Nibali has made the world championships in Florence one of his major targets for the second part of the season and Paolo Bettini has long confirmed that the Giro champion will spearhead the home nation in the event. Apparently, Bettini has almost finished his selection, having already chosen 8 riders for the roster.

According to Gazzetta della Sport, Nibali will be joined by a number of climbers who are currently racing the Vuelta alongside the Astana rider. Italian champion Ivan Santaromita who is currently 10th in the Spanish grand tour, Diego Ulissi who was 6th on stage 2, and Rinaldo Nocentini who was 6th yesterday, have all been selected for the Italian squad.

They will join forces by another two climbers, Fabio Aru and Franco Pellizotti. The former has had a splendid first professional season, was a key mountain domestique for Nibali during his successful Giro campaign and is seen as the next big Italian climber. He is currently preparing himself for the big home race by participating in a number of Italian one-day races. Pellizotti will join Nibali at Astana next season and that may have played a role in the decision to select the former Italian champion.

Luca Paolini is set to be the team's capitain de route, the veteran having a vast experience in the biggest classics. Filippo Pozzato has also been selected on the back of a strong recent showing which has brought wins in the Coppa Agostoni and GP Ouest France - Plouay yesterday.

The final spot is still open and the Italian newspaper reports that Giovanni Visconti , Fabio Felline , Giampaolo Caruso and Simone Ponzi are all candidates. As opposed to this, Valerio Agnoli , Enrico Battaglin , Michele Scarponi and Enrico Gasparotto are said to be unlikely to make it onto the roster.

The road race will take place on September 29 on a hilly course in Florence.