tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8902357654398738817.post-87982709932003503332008-11-18T13:40:00.000-08:002008-11-18T13:51:59.714-08:002008-11-18T13:51:59.714-08:00<a href="http://www.tifoshop.com/scheda/immagini/giro7coro.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px" alt="" src="http://www.tifoshop.com/scheda/immagini/giro7coro.jpg" border="0" /></a>The 2009 Giro d’Italia is shaping up to be one to remember, with some of the biggest stars in cycling set to contend the first grand tour of 2009. Among the cycling luminaries ready to wage war next May include 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre, American comebacker Lance Armstrong, and Ivan “Il Terrible” Basso, fresh off a two year suspension for involvement in the Operacion Puerto scandal of 2007.<br /><br />With a few more high profile entries, the Giro may find itself as the deepest grand tour in terms of talent assembled for 2009. Italian mainstays Danilo Di Luca, Gilberto Simoni, Stefano Garzelli, and Damiano Cunego are sure to take the start in Venice, and an appearance from Astana’a Levi Leipheimer and Andreas Kloden should be expected as well. Should either Alejandro Valverde, Denis Menchov, or Christian Vande Velde decide to contest the Giro, the July Tour de France could find itself overshadowed by its Italian counterpart.<br /><br />That the Giro seems to be gaining in popularity among the world’s best cyclists should be applauded, as the Italian tour is arguably the most beautiful of the three grand tours. France may have invented the bicycle, but it is undoubtedly the Italians that have perfected and immortalized it. Behind 50+ years of international dominance, the Italians have been more proficient than any other country in victories, dwarfing Spain, Germany and France. Most recently, the Italians put on a clinic at the world championships in Varese, placing three riders in the top five, and taking their third consecutive rainbow jersey.<br /><br />Beginning in Venice in 2009, this coming year’s Giro should once again prove exciting and challenging, with a team time trial and forays into the Dolomites and Alps. The Italian countryside, at once beautiful and remote, will provide the backdrop to the drama of both Armstrong’s and Basso’s grand tour comebacks, as the insatiable Italian tifosi line the roads cheering their heroes. Providing the major favorites come to the race with good form and health, the Giro should be one of the best races of 2009.Euro Pelotonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00480262539570524752noreply@blogger.com4