2015 was a very successful year for Lampre-Merida. The Italian team took more victories than expected but recently manager Giuseppe Saronni expressed dissatisfaction with leaders Rui Costa, Diego Ulissi and Sacha Modolo.

Fellow manager Brent Copeland also expects more from his captains.

"We want quality wins,” he tells Tuttobiciweb, “This is why we expect a lot from Rui Costa, Diego Ulissi and Sacha Modolo.”

It will be a year "in which will do more because we want to have a good season." Copeland hopes that the team will continue its growth, especially in the big events. They got two wins in the Giro in 2014, four in 2015.

"I think it will be more difficult this year, because we have invested heavily in young riders that always need time to settle and grow. I think that 2017 is our year. In the season which is about to start, we will try something different with our three leaders. But also with Mattia Cattaneo whom I hope will have the opportunity to express his qualities.”

"It's hard to think you can do better, but certainly our commitment is to keep our standards," Saronni added.