After a full spring program that saw Cervelo TestTeam's Thor Hushovd (NOR) win Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, a stage at the Tour of California, and finishing third in both the 2009 Paris-Roubaix and the 2009 Milano-San Remo, Hushovd has decided to dedicate some time to resting and training, allowing him to focus 100% on preparing for the 2009 Tour de France taking place this July. Consequently he will not be participating in the 2009 Giro d’Italia, scheduled to begin on May 9 in Venice, Italy.

Hushovd made the decision in consultation with Cervélo TestTeam’s Sports Director, Jean Paul van Poppel and Managing Director Thomas Campana. “I had a hard classic season and need a good break,” Hushovd said. “After that, I will start building up my shape slowly for my next big goal, the 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. With the Tour ahead, we decided that it was in the teams’ and my best interests to adjust our plans. Instead, I'll do Volta a Catalunya and the Tour de Swiss with my main lead-out man, Brett Lancaster. This way we can train and work together on our lead-out."

Cervelo TestTeam's pre-selection for the Giro d’Italia 2009:
Philip Deignan (IRL), Simon Gerrans (AUS), Volodymir Gustov (UKR), Jérémy Hunt (GBR), Ted King (USA), Ignatas Konovalovas (LTU), Daniel Lloyd (GBR), Joaquin Novoa (ESP), Serge Pauwels (BEL), Hayden Roulston (NZL), Carlos Sastre (ESP).