Cannondale’s Italian sprinter and track rider Elia Viviani enjoyed double success as he won the European points race and Madison (together with Bertazzo) titles on the Apeldoorn track in the Netherlands, thereby adding to his six victories on the road during the 2013 season that encompassed the opening stage at the Tour of Britain and the general classification at the Tour of Elk Grove in the USA.

Being in the Cannondale roster, the sprinter is often overshadowed by his formidable Slovak team mate Peter Sagan but during 2013 he has improved sufficiently as a sprinter to earn himself a role as the team’s designated alternative to the Slovak master.  Alongside his career on the road Viviani has consistently mixed his obligations on the tarmac with his track racing and while many of his rivals are taking a rest period, Viviani will ride the Italian national track championship this week and then target the Manchester World Cup (November 1-3).

“I didn’t win a lot but I was delivering more quality this year and I have improved my world ranking. I’m the seventh best Italian in the world now and that proves I’ve improved. I’m ready for another step upwards too,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport.

During the initial stages of the season, much to his frustration, Viviani had plenty of near misses but had to await the Critérium du Dauphiné in June before claiming his first win. One of the more hurtful experiences was his failure to win the opening stage at the Giro d’Italia in Naples, which would have allowed him to wear the coveted pink leader’s jersey.

“I’m not happy about that. A sprinter is like a soccer striker; I kept going close but didn’t score. Something always went wrong,” Viviani explained to the Italian sports daily. “Cavendish was in great form at the Giro but I regret not winning in Naples. I was about to win and pull on the pink jersey, I was as good as Cavendish that day but then I hesitated for a second and he got away.”

Viviani’s plans and race itinerary for 2014 will, to some degree at least, be determined by the plans and ambitions of Peter Sagan, but Viviani remains convinced that he and Sagan can continue to co-exist on the Cannondale roster.

“First of all let’s see what happens to the team,” Viviani said alluding to the possible arrival of Tinkoff as a sponsor and team owner.

“Then I will meet (team manager) Roberto Amadio and put down some plans considering Peter’s goals first, because he’s our team leader,” Viviani said. “I’d like to do the track world championships [in Cali, Colombia between Feb. 26-March 2] because I think it’s a great opportunity to win the points race world title. I think the world championships can fit in with my sprint programme. I’d also like to target the sprints at the Giro d’Italia.”

Viviani also said that he would focus on the Giro d’Italia while he expected Sagan to focus on the Tour de France and his defence of his green jersey. With regards to the spring Classics, Viviani said that the inclusion of the steep ascent of Pompeiana in the Milan-San Remo parcours has put an end to his aspirations for that race.

“I don’t think my goals clash with Peter's. He’s going to focus on the Tour de France and I can do the Giro d’Italia. He can win all the Spring Classics, while the only one that suits me is Ghent-Wevelgem. Milan-San Remo is no longer a goal for me because the new route will be too much for me.”