José Antonio López (Andalucía-Cajasur) (Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Spanish team Andalucía-Cajasur has made a step towards racing the 2010 Giro d'Italia. Team Manager Antonio Cabello attended the Giro route presentation in Milan on Saturday at the request of race director Angelo Zomegnan.
"There is a possibility, otherwise they would not invite you," Cabello told todociclismo.com. "But being invited to the presentation does not necessarily mean you will be invited to the race."
Organiser RCS Sport presented the Giro d'Italia, May 8 to 30, at Italy's X Factor television studio. It unveiled 21 stages, that will include the Zoncolan, Plan de Corones, Mortirolo and Gavia climbs in the third week.
Riders or team directors from most of the top-level ProTour teams attended. Team director Gianni Savio represented his Diquigiovanni squad and 2000 Giro winner Stefano Garzelli represented Acqua & Sapone, both professional continental or second division teams.
"We have earned an international reputation, but it was a surprise to be invited," continued Cabello. "We have worked hard in the last years. For our team to be invited to the presentation it means we have a good reputation, not just in Spain, but in Europe."
Fifteen ProTour teams and seven Professional Continental teams raced in this year's Giro d'Italia. The invitation of the Spanish Xacobeo Galicia team had been a surprise inclusion in this year's race. RCS Sport based its decision on the performance of Ezequiel Mosquera at the 2008 Vuelta a España, where he had finished fourth overall.
Xacobeo Galicia was also represented in Milan on Saturday, with Mosquera in attendance at the Giro presentation.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
RCS Sport will select the teams for the Giro d'Italia in January 2010.
Follow Cyclingnews on Twitter for the very latest coverage of events taking place in the cycling world - twitter.com/cyclingnewsfeed
