Garzelli Says NO to the Giro

Italian cyclist Stefano Garzelli refused to participate in this year's Giro D`Italia. Former winner of his home tour in 2000 and second place holder in 2003, the Italian wants to prepare very good for the Tour de France this year. Following a number of cyclists whose declarations about winning the Tour de France were very encouraging, Garzelli does not break the line.

After Armstrong retired from Le Tour last year, all the cyclists hope that they could succeed in France. Most of them are competing though in Il Giro, especially since it is the last true test before Le Tour. Not Garzelli though. Newly winner of the Henniger Tower race in Frankfurt, Garzelli decided that he's going to compete in smaller races, like the Tour of Luxembourg and Switzerland.

Il Giro will start on the 6th of May, and will arrive in Italy after a 4 round circuit in Belgium. From all the cyclists competing at the start of this year's race, some of the big names are Paolo Savoldelli - last year's winner - Gilberto Simoni and last year's runner-up in the Tour de France, Spanish Ivan Basso.