Adelaide-based Nino Solari helps Santos Tour Down Under rider Elia Viviani develop a dual role in cycling

ELIA Viviani says SA-based Nino Solari helped mentor the Italian to become aggressive in two different disciplines - track and road.

CANNONDALE'S Elia Viviani says Adelaide-based Nino Solari helped mentor the Italian to become aggressive in two very different cycling disciplines - track and road.

Viviani's talent is a rare feat in the sport where most specialise in one discipline at a time.

But the Italian team's strong "velocista" (sprinter) at the Santos Tour Down Under says Solari played a huge part in his early cycling career after Viviani finished a credible ninth in Sunday's People's Choice Classic.

But Viviani, 24, surprised Solari when he turned up at a function with Cannondale's popular team manager Biagio Conte at Hutt Street's Zecca Bar and Kitchen on Friday.

Solari, 76, became emotional when he spotted the 2012 Italian Olympian mingling at the event after Viviani was the only cyclist to represent his nation at the Games in two disciplines.

Solari coached Viviani during his time with the Italian track team's juniors before the pair were re-united when Italy named him for the 2010 road world championships in Victoria.

The Italian then finished sixth in the tough track combination event, the omnium, before claiming 38th place in the London Games road race

"Nino was my old collaborator for the Italian national team,'' Viviani said.

"I had two years with him in the juniors and he has followed me and we also won two medals, one was a bronze in the US and another bronze in the world track championships and we worked really hard.

"I have many good memories with Nino."

Viviani, however, believes Cannondale - despite having a very young roster - is good enough to jag a podium at the Santos Tour Down Under.

He has targeted stages tailor made for sprint finishes before his program takes him to the Middle East, the track world championships in Colombia in February and the Giro D'Italia in May.

"In 2013 I raced a lot of road races but in 2012 when the London Games were on I raced a lot on the track and the road,'' Viviani said.

"They are very important races for me and at the London Games I just missed a medal (in the omnium) it was a great emotion for me.

"I am hoping to have programs where I am ready for road racing when it's time and also the track.

"This year I think it's a good example after this race (TDU) there is the track world in Colombia (in February) it's an important appointment for me like the Giro D'Italia.

"To start well here is my goal and the Tour of Qatar.

"But the Giro D'Italia is the crucial point for my season so that's the most important for me."

But after making his Tour Down Under debut in 2011, Viviani is confident Cannondale will work towards success in SA.

"Some of the stages I already know,'' Viviani said.

"My condition is good I had winter on the track so I continued to be active with team

"Here I think I already have a good feel for bike racing and the stages for sprinters is where I want to be the protoganist

"Stage one, the fourth stage and the sixth stage is the ones I'm pointing for.

"I really want to well in this Tour Down Under.

"It's a young team but we're always competitive.'