After the Coppa Agostoni and Coppa Bernocchi, Italian national coach Davide Cassani has announced the selection of the 11 riders that will travel to Richmond as part of the Italian national team.

The team is made up of a mix of sprinters and classics riders who should be able to do well on a course that is expected to suit riders who do well in the cobbled classics.

For a sprint finish, the team will have Elia Viviani who recenly won three stages in the Tour of Britain, Giacomo Nizzolo and Sonny Colbrelli who were both in the top 10 in Coppa Agostoni and Coppa Bernocchi and the in-form Matteo Trentin who has won three races recently and was third in Coppa Bernocchi.

In case the race becomes harder, Cassani will rely on Vincenzo Nibali who has had a remarkable comeback by finishing in the top two in both Italian races, Diego Ulissi who was fifth in Quebec, and Fabio Felline who won the GP Fourmies.

The rest of the team is made up of experienced and strong riders Daniel Oss, Manuel Quinziato, Salvatore Puccio and Daniele Bennati who will play key support roles. 

From the 14-rider long list, Jacopo Guarnieri, Kristian Sbaragli and Alessandro De Marchi missed the cut. 

"It is the most difficult time for any coach," Cassani said. "I decided to ask Sbaragli, De Marchi and Guarnieri to stay at home and bring Colbrelli to America because hehas been strong despite not racing for three weeks and I do not forget that he was the best from our team last year. Sbaragli? He's young, he's growing and will certainly have other chances."

"The blue jersey is always something special for me and in recent weeks I have often talked to Davide," Nibali said. "I am happy for this selection, and I'm pleased with the way I have done in these two races. At the Worlds, we have so many fast riders but I think I can help the team in several ways."

The final nine riders for the race will be selected in the last few days before the race.