Big names to Austria

There may be a big race in France in July, but it isn't the only race that month; the Österreich Rundfahrt, July 6 to 13, will offer an all-star line-up. This week the Rundfahrt announced that two-time Giro d'Italia winner Paolo Savoldelli will lead Team LPR in the race next month. He will be the first Giro winner ever to start the Tour of Austria.

Savoldelli is not the only prominent Italian rider to be in the race. It was previously announced that Paolo Bettini (Quick Step) and Davide Rebellin (Gerolsteiner) will appear in the race. In addition, Team Astana has stated that it will send Janez Brajkovic and Vladimir Gusev to Austria.

"It is great to have the reigning Olympic Champion and two-time World Champion, and now a Giro winner at the start!" said Tour organiser Ursula Riha. "And it is possible that Danilo Di Luca might also come to this year's Österreich Rundfahrt. Team Manager Fabio Bordonali said the decision would be up to him." (SW)