Carlos Sastre commits to (already) impressive 2009 Tour of Italy field

Devotees of grand tours have for several years touted the Tour of Italy as a better event than the Tour de France. The reasons: tougher mountains, less congestion, wondrous food and wine, pretty women and various other cultural and culinary delights.

Now, six months before the race’s centennial edition, the pending field is also quickly shaping up to give the Tour de France its share of competition in peloton quality.

Alberto Contador of Spain, winner of the 2008 Tour of Italy, said earlier this week he will not defend his title in 2009. But a strong handful of top riders have committed, including reigning Tour de France titlist Carlos Sastre of Spain.

Sastre, who will lead the new Cervelo squad next season, said he will likely not compete in his native country’s grand tour, the Tour of Spain, at the end of the season. Instead, he’ll double with the Tour of Italy, beginning May 9 and then defend his Tour de France title, beginning July 4 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Sastre’s participation in the 2009 Tour of Italy will increase his legacy as perhaps the most enduring rider currently in the peloton. Sastre has completed 19 grand tours in 19 starts — 8 Tours de France, 8 Tours of Spain and 3 Tours of Italy.

In addition to the recent announcement that Lance Armstrong will ride in next year’s Tour of Italy, the field will also include Damiano Cunego, Ivan Basso and Jose Luis Rubiera, a long-time support rider for Armstrong. Rubiera, who will turn 36 in January, said he’s postponing his retirement for one season to ride with Armstrong in events like the Tour of California and Tour of Italy.