Mauro Finetto ,Jakub Mareczko and Liam Bertazzo who are all riding for the Southeast team, made their season debut at the Tour de San Luis in the jersey of the Italian national team. The three Italians were pleased with the outcome of the 7-day race under the Argentinean sun.

"I prepared muself California where I knew I could work well for twenty days in the heat," Finetto said. "Unfortunately I had to postpone my schedule for a few days but I managed to prepare myself well. Of course my main goal at San Luis wasn't the win. I always end the season in mid-October with a nice break and there it is right not to force things. After the time trial, the feelings changed and in the last two stages, the legs started to respond like I wanted. In the mountain stage, I was with the best and then I climbed at my own pace. On the final day, I was on the attack and we were only caught a few kilometres from the finish. I'm going home happy with my condition and the work I have done. Now I will have to manage the heat exchange and the jet lag well, and then join the team for the team training camp next week."

Sprint talent Mareczko who won two stages in the Vuelta al Tachira, proved his potential when he finished third in the final stage. "This experience with the national team has definitely made ​​me grow," he explains. "I first participated in the Vuelta al Tachira, Venezuela, where my teammates have allowed me to collect my first great wins of the season. Later I went to Argentina , and the Tour de San Luis was a wonderful experience. The podium in the last stage was a great satisfaction. It was one of the goals of my trip."

Despite a crash in one of the first stages, Liam Bertazzo was satisfied. "It was a great week but I lament the crash on the first day. It mad it hard but in the end I got through the race," he said. "Working with [national coach] Davide Cassani is nice because he is a charismatic figure . And this experience has also allowed me to create a good relationship with two of my teammates. I believe that this is very important because if the group is cohesive, the results will arrive. It was a great adventure."

The three riders will join the rest of the team that will meet over the weekend at the Hotel Campastrello Sport in Castagneto Carducci to improve their condition ahead of the first race in Italy, GP Costa degli Etruschi.