The countdown is on for the first of the year's three Grand Tours. The centennial edition of the Giro d’Italia will kick-off on Saturday, May 9 in Venice, and will finish on May 31 in Rome, the capital city of Italy. The 2009 Giro d'Italia will consist of 21 stages including one team time trial, two individual time trials and seven mountain stages.

After the pre-selection of the twelve riders two weeks ago, Cervelo TestTeam has now finalized its 2009 Giro roster selecting nine riders and one reserve. The team is a mix between experienced riders and new talent. The average age is 28.3 years.

“We are going for a top result in the General Classification with the leader and Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre,” said Jean-Paul van Poppel, Sports Director, Cervélo TestTeam. “He will get support from the entire team to reach a top three place in the GC. Another target is a stage win during the 100 anniversary edition of the Giro. With Simon Gerrans, who won a stage last year in the Tour de France and who has shown great performances this spring, the team has a good candidate to win a stage, though we also have Philip Deignan and Hayden Roulston as potential stage winners.”

The Norwegian Sprinter Thor Hushovd also in the pre-selection for the Giro Team decided last week to turn his focus on the Tour de France stating: “I had a hard classic season and need a good break. After that, I will start building up my shape slowly for my next big goal, the 2009 Tour de France. For the Giro, I would have had to be ready right from the beginning of the race, but I haven’t had enough time to prepare.”

Cervélo TestTeam for the 2009 Giro d’Italia:
Carlos Sastre (ESP)
Simon Gerrans (AUS)
Philip Deignan (IRL)
Hayden Roulston (NZL)
Volodymir Gustov (UKR)
Jeremy Hunt (GBR)
Ted King (USA)
Ignatas Konovalovas (LTU)
Serge Pauwels (BEL)

Reserve:
Daniel Lloyd (GBR)

Sports Directors:
Jean-Paul van Poppel (NED)
Jens Zemke (GER)
Marcello Albasini (SUI)