Cannondale make Sagan focal point of squad

Sagan’s three stage wins and points classification supremacy at the 2012 Tour came despite Cannondale’s focus being primarily on getting Vincenzo Nibali onto the podium.

Now Nibali has moved to Astana and Ivan Basso remains out of contention as he recovers from a perineal cyst, Sagan will be the focal point of their 2013 campaign.

Ted King, Alessandro De Marchi, Alan Marangoni and Moreno Moser are the four Grande Boucle debutants in the nine-man squad, with 22-year-old Moreno making his first Grand Tour appearance of any kind.

“This team is the ideal one to target our goals at the Tour,” directeur sportif Stefano Zanatta said.

“A talented rider such as Sagan deserves to be supported in the best way. He has prepared this event with great commitment and accuracy.

“His wish to win the green jersey is our wish. Being competitive in the stages suited to us is another of our aims.”

Cannondale squad for the Tour de France: Peter Sagan (Slovakia), Maciej Bodnar (Poland), Kristijan Koren (Slovenia), Alessandro De Marchi, Alan Marangoni, Fabio Sabatini, Moreno Moser (all Italy), Ted King (USA), Brian Vandborg (Denmark).