Vincenzo Nibali is the iconic figure of the Italian team heading into Sunday's World Championship men's road race in Imola, but seemingly existential doubts about his form and poor results since the race resumed after the blockade of COVID-19 have dampened Italian hopes of winning the world on their home road Italian hopes of winning the world title on home roads have been dampened.

Italian national coach Davide Cassani hopes that Diego Ulissi, Damiano Caruso, or Deceuninck and Quick Step neo-pro Andrea Bagioli will step up and at least compete for a medal and defend Italian pride.

But the Imola circuit's two short, steep climbs and flat finish will be a challenge for Wout Van Aert (Belgium), Julien Alaphilippe (France), Michał Kwiatkowski (Poland), Marc Hirschi (Switzerland), Tour de France winner Tadej Pogachar (Slovenia), seem to be at a disadvantage.

"We are not one of the favorites to win, but we are a squadra and we are used to big challenges," Cassani said at the Italian's final video press conference while protected in a hotel near Imola.

"I admit that Nibali is not in the best shape, but I always want him to be part of the team. Our unity has always been a factor over the years and we will do our best again this year. It will be difficult to compete against Juan Art, Hirschi, and the rest of the field, but we will try to make something happen."

On Thursday evening, Nibali spoke for the last time before Sunday's road race via video link from his hotel room.

He will also lead Trek-Segafredo in the Giro d'Italia starting next Saturday, but admitted that the COVID-19 craze and calendar changes have compromised his gradual buildup to peak form.

"I will quietly and discreetly see what I can do on Sunday, but I don't expect to be the only one protected as leader of the Azzurri.

Nibali opted for an all-Italian race program in August, but struggled in the one-day races, finishing fifth in the Gran Trittico Lombardo in Varese and sixth in Il Lombardia, where he substituted for teammate Giulio Ciccone, his best result Nibali was sixth at the Gran Trittico Lombardo. Nibali trained at high altitude in early September, but struggled to adapt to the race in Tirreno-Adriatico, finishing a disappointing 19th overall.

Ciccone, meanwhile, tested positive for COVID-19 during the high-altitude training camp and his symptoms worsened. It is unclear if he will return to action at the Giro d'Italia.

"This year has been very different. I immediately resumed racing in some important races, but it was not easy to find peak form right away. I have always needed more races and more distance.

"Coming down from the highlands, I ran Tirreno and that was my second restart. I can't say I'm in great shape, but I've kept working, hoping things will get better.

"For both the World Championships and the Giro, I'm hoping for a physical reaction and a mental recovery, but it's difficult. If you look at the Tour de France, many top riders are also suffering.

Nibali, who trained on the Imola circuit, quickly realized that two steep climbs and narrow country roads would make for a hard, elective race. Nibali was not optimistic about the finale, where the race would be decided.

"This Worlds is different, each lap is 28 km long and there are no easy sections, each lap is 28 km long and there are no easy sections, each lap is 28 km long and there are no easy sections, each lap is 28 km long and there are no easy sections. With bad weather expected, it will be a very hard World Championships," he predicted.

"I think the riders with real distance and form will emerge in the last couple of laps. There will be Tour de France riders like Kwiatkowski and Van Aert, as well as riders who are clearly in form. Van Art is strong and a big favorite for any sprint finish.

Diego Ulissi seems the most likely to succeed in Italy. He is in good shape, can handle steep climbs, and is a good sprint finisher. He won the recent Tour de Luxembourg and was world champion as a junior in 2006 and 2007.

"It's going to be an open race because it's a very tough course, the two climbs are tough and you will feel it in the finale," Ulissi predicted.

"Chasing a breakaway group is really difficult on the undulating roads. So the riders who attack in the last two or three laps will have the advantage."

Ulissi finished second in the Tour Down Under in January and has posted numerous top-10 finishes since his return to racing. He has extended his contract with UAE Team Emirates through 2022 and definitely has the mental and physical confidence that Nibali clearly lacks.

"Winning races is always great," he said.

"I don't feel any pressure and my success in Luxembourg has given me confidence. After the success in Luxembourg, I don't feel any pressure and I have confidence.