Tour Champion Carlos Sastre says he "likes" the route of the 2009 Giro d'Italia
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)
Sastre “Likes” Giro Route
Tour de France Champion Carlos Sastre believes that the 100th anniversary of the Giro d'Italia will be one of the greatest editions ever. "I like it a lot. It is modern, intense and hard," Sastre said in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport.” The Giro is my first objective, the main objective is the Tour de France, the World Championships is my final objective," added Sastre.
The 2009 Giro D’Italia is set to include top riders; Lance Armstrong, Damiano Cunego, Ivan Basso, Danilo Di Luca, Gilberto Simoni and Denis Menchov.
Speaking of Armstrong, Sastre said, "I am not worried about him. They will all be on him; the riders, fans, and journalist. He will take a lot of pressure off me."
The Giro d’Italia begins in Venice with a team time trial on May 9, with the final day being an individual time trial in Rome. Sastre last rode the Giro d'Italia in 2006 in support of teammate and overall winner Basso.
 The BMC team in full flight at the 2008 Tour of Qatar (Photo: Roberto Bettini)
BMC Looking For Wild Cards
In 2008 the BMC team was granted wild card status, a designation that is required for Professional Continental teams to compete in the ProTour or World Calendar events. Recently BMC Team manager Gavin Chilcott journeyed to Switzerland to attend the UCI License Commission hearing, which was held to discuss the teams' wild card qualifications.
"I feel the hearing went well and I am optimistic that they will decide in our favor," Chilcott said. In order to qualify for Wild Card statues the team must take part in the UCI's biological passport program. "We made our commitment to the biological passport program which is not something that all Pro Continental teams do," Chilcott added.
BMC is now the only USA-registered team on the list of Professional Continental teams. (Garmin-Slipstream moved up to the ProTour for 2009) The team will need the wild card status to gain entry into its two main targets, the Tour of Romandie and the Tour of Switzerland. "We want to be at the Tours of Romandie and Switzerland again this year, and we also want to increase the number of large European races we are invited to," said Chilcott.
 Sven Nys will again be a factor in the 2009-2010 World Cup (Photo: Roberto Bettini)
2009-2010 UCI Cyclocross World Cup Schedule Released
The UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup will grow from its current nine-event schedule to a ten-event schedule for the 2009-2010 season. The new addition is that of the race in Schmerikon, Switzerland.
Koksijde, Kalmthout, Heusden-Zolder, Nommay, Roubaix and Igorre all remain unchanged. Round two in the Czech Republic changes from Tabor to Plzen, while Italy's round changes from Milan to Treviso. The Netherlands' race moves from Pijnacker to Hoogerheide.
The men's World Cup will consist of ten races, one more than the 2008-2009 season, while the women will contest eight rounds, same as the 2008-2009 season. The U-23 and Junior men will race six events, an addition of two rounds over 2008-2009.
All categories will race at the World Cup rounds in Treviso, Schmerikon, Koksijde, Heusden-Zolder, Roubaix and Hoogerheide. The rounds in Nommay and Kalmthout will be contested by just Elite men and women, with Plzen and Igorre exclusively for Elite men.
2009-2010 Cyclo-cross World Cup schedule:
October 4, 2009 - Treviso, Italy
October 18, 2009 - Plzen, Czech Republic
October 25, 2009 - Schmerikon, Switzerland
November 8, 2009 - Nommay, France
November 28, 2009 - Koksijde, Belgium
December 6, 2009 - Igorre, Spain
December 20, 2009 - Kalmthout, Belgium
December 26, 2009 - Heusden-Zolder, Belgium
January 17, 2010 - Roubaix, France
January 24, 2010 - Hoogerheide, The Netherlands
Jittery Joe's Has New Focus
Former professional team Jittery Joe's has merged with the Kudzu.com under-25 team for the 2009 season. For 2009 the Jittery Joe's team was forced to drop their professional status, and has now refocused its efforts on developing younger riders.
"While it is always hard to take a step back, I think we have put together a really strong and reputable program for 2009. Jittery Joe's will always have a strong presence in the cycling community," said team owner Micah Rice
The new team is named Jittery Joe's presented by Kudzu.com U25 Cycling Team, and has hired Dan Larson as team director. Kudzu.com riders Jafer Beizer, Thomas Brown, Oscar Clark and Joey Rosskopf will continue, and will be joined by former US junior national time trial champion Mike Niemi.
The Jittery Joe's presented by Kudzu.com U25 Cycling Teamriders:
Jafer Beizer, Anthony Bennett, Thomas Brown, Oscar Clark, Mike Niemi, Joey Rosskopf.
Team Director: Dan Larson
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