On Sunday, Bardiani-CSF will be at the start of the Italian road race championship in Darfo Boario, Brescia (227 km). Eight riders have been selected by directeur sportif Stefano Zanatta, who will lead the team: Edoardo Zardini, Nicola Boem, Luca Chirico, Enrico Barbin, Lorenzo Rota, Simone Sterbini, Alessandro Tonelli and Simone Velasco.

The greatest news is the presence of Zardini who returns to racing four months after he suffered vertebral fracture at GP of Lugano.

“I’m really happy. Being at the start of an official race again will be a great emotion” said Zardini. “Honestly, it was not an easy period. Only when the doctors gave me the green light to start the training did I see the end of the tunnel. During the last weeks I worked to recover the condition but at the moment I can’t be in the form I want. Anyway, the Italian champs will be the first step for a great second part of 2016. I want to thank all the people who supported me during these hard months."

While Zardini will be in the race, Sonny Colbrelli had to renounce even if the route was suited to his characteristics. The Italian rider has just recovered from pneumonia suffered just after the Giro d’Italia but can’t perform at his best due to the consequences of the crash in the final Giro stage. He should be back at the Tour de Pologne from July 12 to 18.

“The national championships have a special relevance for an Italian team like us,” said Zanatta. “We won’t have a team leader, but we’ll try to exploit all race situations to take our chances. I’ll ask the riders to race without any fear. The only expectations I have is to see a combative team and my riders doing their best for the team."