The world championship adventure begins, as tradition dictates, with a press conference that illustrates the - admittedly complex - expedition, the teams, and the ambitions of the Italian national team that starts its journey to Rwanda tonight.

And so here are the Azzurri voices, starting with Federal President Cordiano Dagnoni: "We come from successes in other categories and off-road world championships, the flattering results of our athletes during the summer and also at the Vuelta have convinced us to expand the roster for these first historic African world championships. We managed this thanks to sponsors, particularly the new ones on the MPfiltri and Caffè Bocca della Verità jersey: the first has been a protagonist of a fortunate debut at MTB worlds and this, in sports, counts. MP Filtri has been with us since the beginning of our first mandate and together we have created important projects, like the Azzurri Bus. Now they have decided to strengthen the relationship, becoming jersey sponsors. We thank them for this choice, as well as Caffè Bocca della Verità, which will support us during World and European Championships".

Explaining the Federation's choices is team manager Roberto Amadio: "Beyond the logistical difficulties of the Rwanda trip, we must also consider the proximity of the European Championships the following week. Moreover, we are close to Italian teams that need to score points to remain in the top 30 of the world ranking and for this we have left some riders available to the clubs: I hope they manage to achieve their objectives. And I hope that UCI and UEC in the coming years will be more careful in programming their events because with certain choices they put both national teams and squads in difficulty".

Marco Villa is making his debut as national professional team coach: "I've never left for a world event with a press conference with this level of attention, but I have an important experience baggage, having collaborated for many years with coaches Bettini, Cassani and Bennati. Now it's my turn to lead the National Team, but I'm fortunate to have prepared technicians like Scirea and coaches Velo, Amadori and Salvoldi by my side. We know well the difficulties of this trip and this challenge but we don't want to start demotivated: both in the time trial with Cattaneo and Sobrero and in the road race, we are ready to play our cards. What kind of national team will it be? A team ready to cover every role, with riders who will know how to contribute to the cause and with Ciccone who is enthusiastic about taking on the leader role and helped me choose an eighth man like Masnada".

Coach Dino Salvoldi with his juniors has a title to defend: "The greatest motivation is to try to repeat ourselves even if, compared to last year, we don't have the strongest individual on paper, but we are abundantly first in the category ranking, we know we must be good at continuing to nurture the base of this category from which professionals now directly fish".

U23 coach Marino Amadori adds: "We come from a Tour de l'Avenir where we were protagonists, Finn will undoubtedly be our point man. We are also first as a national team in world rankings and we want to honor this primacy. The most fearsome opponent is the Belgian Widar who has proven very strong throughout the season. I expect a race that will be very spectacular and uncertain because we will return to racing without professionals. A right decision that gives dignity back to this category".

Finally, words from women's national team coach Marco Velo: "Our captain Elisa Longo Borghini is still working on Teide: she believes, knows she has one of the last opportunities to conquer the world jersey. The road racers will arrive at the last moment, on September 23rd, since there's no time zone difference. I expect a tough race that leaves no room for recovery, I believe 4/5 riders will play for the title and we will be there. The juniors? They must exploit the great opportunity offered by FCI, many other nations do not field junior teams, we will be there and will try to get a result".