We both like Lily Allen. We have Italian as our second language (except she speaks a little English, and my Russian is worse than western wodka). And we both have little diagrams of our road bike measurements, so that when we arrive in a new country, to ride for a new team, on a new bike, all is not lost.

Alfredo, Franceso and Vittorio (Larry, Curly and Mo) were all there, though in what capacity, I'm not quite sure.

One peered over her shoulder as she changed her saddle and the other marvelled at my competence as I wired up the SRM power meter. I can only tell you now, without immodesty, that the days of crying, yelling "schweinhundt!" and punching walls are but a distant memory... I am indeed competent at it.

The Russian would occasionally look over at me, give me the universal look for "can you believe these guys?" and we'd carry on. Each of our mechanics would intermittently disappear to smoke outside and regale the others with Back In the Day stories. They also seem to be sporting very handsome, smart-casual, navy Valdarno zip up sweaters. They're Made Guys.

The Russian flew in from Copenhagen this morning, fresh from racing the Team Pursuit at the track World Championships. After riding 3 road seasons for Italian pro teams, she's seen plenty of Italians in operation and I get the impression she's not phased easily: she's friendly, but does plenty of indifferent shrugging. Hell, she lives in Moscow for half the year. In the winter. Say no more.

In stark contrast to my Italian teammates who arrived late last night with Nonna's pomodoro passata, roast turkey wrapped in prosciutto and home made jam (and with 20kg of luggage each for a week), the Russian arrived with a 10kg bag for 6 months and the expression of a woman who's travelled much and seen worse. We'll be sharing a room (double bunk beds each) to hold the fort at la casa, working on our multi lingual skills (read: dodgey broken Itanglish). This way, the Italian sprites can all inhabit the next room, breezing in and out of the team house around races and to intimidate us with their rapid fire dialogue.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a start for Cittiglio, the first (and only Italian) World Cup of the season this Sunday. The DS wants to start an all-Italian team, which is understandable, so us 4 here are heading north of Florence to compete in a junior men's race where gears are restricted and the next Basso, di Luca or Pozzato will be discovered. I think the 3 mechanics are accompanying us, hopefully they can keep the cigarettes out the window for the drive to Prato.

*the Russian is Tatiana Antoshina, former junior world xc skiing champion, now Russian TT Champion and 2-time top 10 finisher at World TT Championships. Also a 5y veteran of the women's pro peloton at the grand old age of 28.