The Liquigas Team was officially presented on 9th January 2008: up until now that was the first and only time that Daniele Bennati had donned the green-blue strip. More than three months have passed since that day, but the sprinter from Arrezzo will finally get the chance to make his first appearance for his new the team on 20th April during the Giro d’Oro.

"I’m curious and excited about this debut. My season is only just starting now and I want to make my mark," Bennati said.

Bennati was ready to compete in the official races back in February but a slight patellar chondropathy to his left knee, associated with inflammation of the lateral ligament, kept him away from the race scene:

"I’m still not one hundred per cent on form and my legs still need to cover a few more miles. But I’m trying to prepare myself in the best way possible for the Giro d’Italia."

Bennati will be joined in the Giro d’Oro and the Giro del Trentino, which takes place from 22nd to 25th April, by Franco Pellizotti and Vincenzo Nibali, who will then fly off to Belgium the following day for the Liège-Bastogne-Liège.

Completing the line-up, led by Stefano Zanatta, are Claudio Corioni, Vladimir Miholjevic, Andrea Noè, Alessandro Vanotti and Charles Wegelius.