Damiano Cunego opts out of the Tour

Cunego in action alongside Danilo Di Luca at the Giro

Following a far from impressive Giro d'Italia, where he placed 5th, Damiano Cunego will miss this year's Tour de France. The 25 year old Lampre rider will instead focus his attention on the upcoming Tour de Suisse on 16-24 June.

Cunego has made it clear he wasn't race fit during the Giro, instead finding increasing fitness throughout the race. He's decided, “…it could be interesting try to use my condition in a race with a tough parcours”. Following the Giro Cunego took part in several crit races and backed this up with a period of intense training.

“I think my condition will permit me to realize good performances in Suisse. After this race I will take part in National Championship and then I will rest for some weeks”.

Cunego will be backed by team mates Alessandro Ballan, Daniele Bennati, Marzio Bruseghin, David Loosli, Marco Marzano, Daniele Righi and Paolo Tiralongo.

We highly recommend taking a look at Cunego's personal website...