nope, Italians tend to concentrate on the Giro and the organisers are more inclined to inv

ite Italian teams, whereas conversely the French like to concentrate on the Tour and Tour organisers like to invite French teams

the main teams will usually be invited to both (drug scandals permitting...) Contador is the defending champion but he hasn't entered this year, whereas last year he was defending champion in the Tour but his team was banned due to them being drug fuelled before he joined them

it is true that Armstrong was the first 'great' rider to base his season around just winning the Tour but the Giro has often suffered over the years with a number of teams and riders using the first couple of weeks as a 'warm-up'

Posted By: Ralf Scrampton, May 20, 18:03:40