Team Liquigas-Cannondale earlier today revealed its roster for the 2012 Tour de France. The roster is built around no less than three leaders - Vincenzo Nibali, Ivan Basso and Peter Sagan - who head for Belgium and France to hunt for treasure in the Tour de France overall rankings and stage sprints.

The Tour de France 2012 begins in Liege, Belgium on Saturday June 30 and ends in Paris, France on July 22.

According to a team spokesman Nibali - known as "The Shark" - will aim for a top position in the general classification. Slovakian national champion Sagan is aiming to beat Mark Cavendish, Andre Greipel and other powerful men in the sprints to the finish lines, while Varese-native Basso will function as the team's capitaine de route and also fight to obtain a good G.C. result, working as the team's backup plan if Nibali falters.

The team is sending its three Tour de France-experienced rouleurs Daniel Oss, Kristijan Koren and Alessandro Vanotti to Belgium and France in an attempt to provide sufficient support for Sagan, Nibali and Basso. Additionally, Sylvester Szmyd has been appointed "porteur d'eau" for the three captains in the important mountain stages of Le Tour 2012. The team may, however, lack the necessary lead-out capacity in the sprints, leaving much of the work to Sagan himself.

The two Tour de France newcommers Federico Canuti and Dominik Nerz complete the team's Tour de France roster.

Commenting on the team's choice of Tour de France strategy and line-up Team Liquigas-Cannondale sports director Stefano Zanatta told Roadcycling.com "We've got a group determined of men for the Tour who are ready to support their captains' ambitions. The guys know each other well. Many of them have followed similar preparation programs to help things go smoother during the race. We'll be on the frontline in this Tour de France to support the ambitions of Nibali and Sagan, and we're aware of the responsibilities awaiting us."

"We're aiming for the top of the general classification and will support Vincenzo (Nibali) all the way to the last stage, plus we'll strive to put Peter (Sagan) in the best possible position to win at least one stage. In his case it's right to be ambitious, but we'll be mindful of the difficulties and pressures involved in a race like the Tour. The aim is to get a stage win and anything after that is a bonus."

According to Zanatta, the team's roster is both balanced and experienced, and Basso's presence in the team's Tour de France roster is of crucial value to G.C. hopeful Nibali. "His experience and charisma will be fundamental for helping the team when the pressure heats up."

Team Liquigas-Cannondale roster for the Tour de France 2012:
Peter Sagan, Vincenzo Nibali, Sylwester Szmyd, Ivan Basso, Daniel Oss, Kristijan Koren, Alessandro Vanotti, Federico Canuti, and Dominik Nerz.

The riders will be led by Team Liquigas-Cannondale sports directors Stefano Zanatta, Paolo Slongo, and Mario Scirea.

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