Matteo Trentin says that despite qualifying nine riders for the Worlds Road Race, Italy are not the favourites due to not having lots of attackers or the fastest sprinters.

In fact, the nation as a whole has struggled in the Worlds in recent years, with their last medal coming when Alessandro Ballan won the race in 2008 on home soil. Vincenzo Nibali has come closest, taking fourth in 2013, once again on home soil.

"We do not start among the favourites, but we will give everything," Trentin told Tuttobiciweb. "Nations such as Germany, Australia and Belgium - that have stronger men on the paper than us, I think Degenkolb, Matthews, Boonen but also in Sagan - will make the race and control all the moves.”

Trentin is a fast finisher and is on form, meaning he could play a role. However, Italy also has fast riders like Fabio Felline, Elia Viviani and Giacomo Nizzolo to use for a sprint. They also have Diego Ulissi and Nibali to light the race up from afar.

Trentin says the inclusion of the cobbled climbs wont change the race, as they are too short, allowing sprinters and non-Classics riders to contend the final.

"You know that I love them (the cobbles), Roubaix and Flanders are my favourite races, but what little there is here in Richmond will not make a difference because it is too short. It will serve more for show than anything else."