Search articles from thousands of Examiners
Write for us
San Diego Sports Cycling Examiner
Cycling Examiner

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

October 28, 3:40 PMCycling ExaminerJames Raia
1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe


Get alerts when there is a new article from the Cycling Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.
Email Address


  Include other special offers from Examiner.com
Terms of Use

 

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. 

For more info: www.carlossastre.com
More About: Tour de France

Comments

Name:


Comments:
characters left

NOTE: Do Not Alter These Fields:

Recent Articles

Sunday, November 8, 2009
The U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame has inducted four unique contributors — Richard Cortright, three-time Olympian; Phyllis Harmon, lifetime …
Monday, November 2, 2009
Floyd Landis can't stay away from controversy. Now, the dethroned Tour de France winner says he'll never compete in the Tour de France again …

Related Slideshows

Things to see and do

Sea Turtle Feeding
11 Nov 2009 - 1 pm
Chula Vista Nature Center
More special event »
Shark and Ray Feeding
Chula Vista Nature Center
Junior Rangers
Tijuana River Estuary Reserve

NATIONAL CYCLING EXAMINER JAMES RAIA'S OTHER WEB SITES

COOL WEB SITES FREQUENTLY VISITED