Franco Pellizotti warms up to 2016. The Italian is about to begin its fifteenth season at the pro level and once again he will be one of the leaders of Gianni Savio’s Androni - Sidermec Gianni Savio. Returning from a positive 2015 season which left the regret of having to miss the month of August, the veteran is ready to offer his experience and quality in the toughest races. The hope is to be again do the Giro d’Italia, hoping to winning the stage that has eluded him in recent years.

“I feel good, because if I did not feel well after a month of rest,” he told Cyclingpro.net when asked about his current situation. “The reasons are many. I have the desire to do well so I have started again with the determination needed to face another year among the professionals.

”I know all the guys in the team well. I think that Gianni (Savio, ed.) has set up a good team. We have seen that races often in a sprint unless it is possible to make a big difference on a climb. We have had a beautiful transfer market with fast riders who defend themselves uphill and I am convinced that we will have a good year. I hope so because we have just had a less goof season.”

”My main goal is to be a team player and try to give my experience to help the younger riders grow well and at the same time try to gain satisfactions. Hopefully we will have a wild card for the Giro where I hope to win a stage that would be the icing on the cake of my career.”

Pellizotti already has a rough idea about his schedule.

“[Sports director] Giovanni Ellena is waiting a bit to make a schedule,” he said. “In principle, we know where we'll start. We are considering whether to go to Spain to do Valencia and Ruta del Sol or return to Australia. Another group will do the Tour de San Luis and we will be split. Then we will see which invitations we get and then we will make a more precise schedule.”

The 2015 season was difficult for Androni which was suspended in August due to the doping positives of Fabio Taborre and Davide Appollonio.

“It is hard to draw a balance,” Pellizotti said. “I know I did my best, a decent Giro d’Italia in which I came close to win a couple of times. If I had won a stage, it would have been a 10. But when I failed to win, you also have to see what you did: we had the misfortune not to ride in August and this had an impact on the season finale. Getting to the races in September and October without a month of racing on the legs makes it difficult to fight against rider who maybe did the Vuelta. Anyway, I'm satisfied, I did what I had to do and I have no regrets.”

One of the most exciting signings for the Androni team is neo-pro Egan Bernal.

“He is a rider that everyone is praising,” Pellizotti said. “We must allow him to grow, without expecting great things from him soon. There is a readont hat Gianni signed him for four years. He is not in a hurry, has time and then it is up to him to try to learn and accept the advice that we can give. I believe he can get chances in a team like ours without following a very heavy schedule. Gianni Savio has worked with the South American riders for many years and I think he knows better than anyone how to handle them personally. I am convinced that he will do very well.

“In the end, our job is like all other jobs. It is the passion that will bring you to where you get because without passion and determination you will not get anywhere. Now I can maybe sacrifice more than I did as a young rider. I have learnt that over time and will try to ride with passion. Then the results will definitely come.”