According to Elia Viviani (Team Sky), his decision to open his season at the Tour de San Luis with the Italian national team was an easy one to make and he insisted that his decision involves no conflict of interest. The Italian is using the race as a warm up for more important engagements on the European calendar, mainly the Giro d'Italia.

The Italian team are going to South America looking for stage victories with an impressing outfit that includes Viviani, Filippo Pozzato and up and coming sprinter Jakub Mareczko. Four years ago, Viviani claimed a stage win in the Argentinian race when riding for Cannondale, and he is looking forward to making his second appearance in the blue of Italy.

“When we plan things we want the best, and this is not only the best for the national team but for Team Sky also,” Viviani said according to Cyclingnews.com.

“When you are in the national jersey it is always an honour because you are representing your country. I do some races on the track also in the national jersey but for me it is important to start here in San Luis. It’s one more week’s racing in the legs before the classics and before the track Worlds and when the federation asked me to come and race I was really happy to come here.”

The main objective for Viviani this season is a medal on the track at the Olympic Games in Rio, which explains his busy schedule on various velodromes in pursuit of points to ensure his qualification. He plans to make one brief track appearance at the Worlds in March. However, he intends to neglect the track somewhat in the opening five months of the year as he sets his sights on the Giro d’Italia in May.

“For 2016 my first focus is towards the Olympic Games but I have a big focus also on the road with Team Sky, and I think for that the Giro d’Italia will be my main focus,” said Viviani. “From now until the Giro d’Italia, I will go only to the track World Championships to get some more points for the Olympics. I will try to take a medal, but I will not be in 100 per cent condition. From now, the Giro d’Italia is the main focus so I will be doing a lot of races on the road.”

The Tour de San Luis starts with a team time trial on Monday, January 18 and finishes on Sunday, January 24.