The opinions before Milan-San Remo

Antonio Salutini
Q: Why did you decide to select all the riders who ride Tirreno-Adriatico for Milan-San Remo team?
A: Because they showed that they are one of the best teams in the sport at the moment. At Tirreno I believe they were the best team in the race. They knew how to control and be active in every part of the race. True we won less than we had hoped but we were really strong and we worked perfectly as a team.
Q: Celestino, Cipollini, Savoldelli and even the name of Biagio Conte. Aren't there too many riders in the team who want to win Milan-San Remo?
A: To get to the bottom of the Poggio with five riders is a miracle for any team. But I believe Saeco Macchine per Caffe' can do it this year. I trust my riders too much to think that they will put their own personal interest before those of the team. In the past they have all shown that they are willing to work for each other.
Q: Who do you think is the number one favourite to win?
A: If Savoldelli and Celestino continue to race with the same spirit as they have done recently and as they did when Celestino won the Trofeo Laigueglia race, I think I've got the favourite in my team.
Q: What do you think about the new course?
A: It's much more difficult. I'm sorry for Cipollini because he's at a disadvantage because of the new Bric Berton climb but saying that Mario will be giving it everything and so I won't be surprised to see him up there at the finish. Fortunately I still have riders like Fabio Sacchi and Biagio Conte who will almost certainly won't be dropped on the new climb, and so the teams chances have actually increased.

Mirko Celestino
Q: At Tirreno-Adriatico we didn't see at the front very much. Why was that?
A: I raced carefully so that I didn't waste any physical or mental energy. I was already in great form and I could have tried to win stages. Tirreno-Adriatico is a prestigious race but I preferred to concentrate on getting ready for Milan-San Remo. On Saturday I want to be really "mean" so that I can give it everything without worrying about being tired or not having enough energy.
Q: That means you're in great form? You've already won two World Cup races and your racing on your home roads
like you did at the Trofeo Laigueglia which you won. Do you feel under pressure for all of this?
A: Not really, perhaps I will a bit during the race but I'm used to it. I can't deny that this race is not special for me. I've been thinking about it for months but it won't stop me sleeping tonight. I'll be one of the Saeco team leaders and the other riders are going to work for me, that is reassuring. Especially knowing that Fabio Sacchi -who joined the team this year with me, will be looking after me.
Q: Do you know the Bric Breton climb? How much difference will it make?
A: I didn't know it until the organisers announced the change in the route. The biggest difference is that the new route means there is 50km less to race along the coast and so there could be attacks on the Bric Breton, especially by teams such as Liquigas, Fassa Bortolo who will be trying to make the sprinters suffer. It's possible that the race could split on the climb with a group of say 70 riders going clear.
Q: What is Milan-San Remo like in your dreams?
A: San Remo is the longest race I've ever done but I've never suffered while riding it because when I ride along the coast road I know like the back of my hand and there always lots of my fans along the route cheering me on. Sometimes I imagine the race as a nice ride along the coast between my fans with a great party at the finish with on the podium spraying them all with the winner's champagne.

Mario Cipollini
Q: Mario you've didn't race in February and have only returned to racing recently, how do you feel after Tirreno-Adriatico?
A: If I think I have hardly raced since the Giro d'Italia last May, I have to say that I'm happy with how I'm going. My form is getting better even if I'm still not at my best and hopefully two days rest after the race will help me feel even better.
Q: You've never denied that to win San Remo would be a dream for you. How do you feel going into this year's race?
A: I'm going to ride it with a different mentality, most of all because of the change in the route. compared to previous years, it's difficult to predict just how the race will go. For example it'll depend a lot on the weather -which should be good...at least I hope so.
Q: Do you think the Bric Berton climb will affect the race considerably?
A: According to what I've heard -because I haven't ridden the climb before, everybody says it a harder climb. This doesn't mean the race will be decided there but it could mean the climbers will attack and that the sprinters will have to chase along the coast road to get back on.
Q: This year the Saeco Macchine per Caffe' team will have several riders who can win. Is this a problem for you or will it be a advantage?
A: It can only be an advantage. I won't ask that the team tries to control the race for me. Even if I make it over the Cipressa with the leaders, my team mates will still be able to ride for themselves. However if the race finishes in a sprint, I'm sure that riders like Savoldelli, Celestino and Conte will do everything they can to help me in the sprint.

Paolo Savoldelli
Q: Tirreno-Adriatico finished with several riders within a few seconds of each other. Does this mean that there are a lot of possible winners for this year's Milan-San Remo?
A: Exactly. Almost everybody who has the right athletic characteristics to win San Remo is in great form. I don't think there's a clear favourite, even if I saw Erik Zabel pedalling really well this week.
Q: This season the Saeco Macchine per Caffe' team has asked you to be in form earlier in the season. Are you happy with how things have gone with this new programme? Are you happy with the results you've achieved or did you expect to have won a race?
A: I've tried to be in form earlier because it's not definite that we'll get a place in the tour de France. I rode the Vuelta Valenciana to get some miles in my first important objective was Tirreno-Adriatico. I finished six seconds behind Rebellin who won but know that I lost five seconds because of a split in the bunch in the sprint for the finish. It's true that I haven't won a race yet but I'm happy with how I've trained this year, I'm happy with how I'm going and for the fact that I haven't had any injuries or illnesses. I'm sure I win something soon.
Q: Do you think you are rider for Milan-San Remo?
A: I'm sure I can ride a great race but I also know that because of my characteristics as a rider, I have to be much better than the other riders if I want to win. Unfortunately I'm not a good sprinter and in Milan-San Remo that's a weakness. If the race finishes in a small group I won't much chance of winning.
Q: You are famous for your incredible descending skills which allows you to pull back any time you lose on the climbs, If you make it to the top of the Poggio with the leaders, will you try to attack?
A: I don't think the descent of the Poggio is long enough to really make a difference. The curves are too sharp. If
you gain a few metres, you lose them as you brake for the next hairpin. If I had a few seconds advantage at the top of the climb then it would be a different story. Then I could probably stay clear.