The World Championship in Rwanda is increasingly in the spotlight: just over three months before the start of the historic world event on September 21st (the first in Africa), confirmations are arriving about the reduced participation of many important National Teams. Denmark and France were the first to announce that they would not present complete formations at the World Championships and would leave junior youth teams at home, and are also considering reduced Under 23 participation; Belgium and the Netherlands are thinking about it, the issue of mandatory vaccinations required to go to a nation in central Africa worries many and now comes Italy's choice, which will certainly spark discussion.

Because it is the first time such a strong decision has been made by one of the nations that founded cycling. To contain costs, by decision of the Federal Council, the Professional National Team of coach Marco Villa will present itself on Sunday, September 28th, on the 5,475-meter elevation course of the capital Kigali, with only 5 Azzurri instead of the 8 that would be due to Italy; likewise, the contingents of elite women have been reduced (4 athletes instead of 7) and Under 23 (4 riders, instead of 6), and the two junior men's and women's teams (3 riders each).

«Costs are extremely high and we must adapt, we cannot do otherwise – explains the general manager of Italy, Roberto Amadio -. The expedition to Rwanda costs more than the Australian World Championship in 2022. We are also evaluating two options for air flights, and what impacts most is extra baggage, the weight of bikes, mechanics' tools, masseurs' beds: the UCI had promised national teams discounts on this aspect during the March meeting, but we have seen nothing about it. We have already chosen the hotel, a four-star in Kigali a kilometer from the finish, which ensures quality and safety. But then we had to make cuts, even mechanics and masseurs will work for all teams to optimize costs. Our approach is however the opposite of other nations, which have for example canceled all Under 23 and junior teams: we want to present the Azzurri jersey at the start of all races, including the mixed relay where we believe we have great chances. And if in the last month there will be some nice surprises among the riders, we will evaluate whether to expand the number of a unit».

Currently the numbers are these: 5 professionals, with the choice of riders who climb well like Ciccone, Tiberi, Pellizzari, Caruso, Fortunato best climber of the Giro d'Italia and Cattaneo, but the list also includes those who did not race the Giro and will go to the Tour or do other programs, like Bettiol, Bagioli, Scaroni, Sobrero, Fiorelli, Frigo and Ulissi, the only Italian pink jersey at the Giro. To be considered that among the five starters there must also be two time trial specialists, and so Cattaneo, Tiberi, Caruso or Bettiol can fall into these two categories.

In the women's field, the 4 Azzurre will form a compact block for Elisa Longo Borghini who, after three world bronze medals, on the extremely tough Kigali course can hit that world title that would illuminate an already sumptuous palmares. In the Under 23, then, great confidence in eighteen-year-old Lorenzo Mark Finn, junior world champion in 2024. In any case, coach Marco Villa will closely follow all races on the Italian calendar, will spend a couple of days at the Tour de France (and on that occasion will also dedicate himself to reconnaissance of the European Championship route in the Drome-Ardeche region, scheduled from October 1st to 5th, a week after the world event in Rwanda, with a simpler course and therefore with a completely different national team) and then also at the Vuelta.