Horner returns in Italy this weekend

Chris Horner will return to competition in Italy this weekend, for the first time since breaking his wrist and pelvis at the Vuelta a España last month. Astana today announced Horner in its nine-man team for the Giro dell’Emilia on Saturday and the GP Bruno Beghelli on Sunday.

The two races will give Horner a taste of competition before an expected start in the final race on the International Cycling Union's (UCI) World Calendar, the Giro d'Lombardia, on October 17.

Lombardia is also likely to be one of Horner's final races with Astana. He announced on Sunday that he will ride with Team RadioShack in 2010 and 2011.

The Giro dell’Emilia will cover 198.2 kilometres and feature seven climbs, including the finish at the top of the San Luca. Sunday's GP Beghelli will feature eight ascents of the Zappolino on its 195.8 kilometre course.

Astana's team for the Giro dell’ Emilia and Trofeo Bruno Beghelli will be: Chris Horner, Jani Brajkovic, Valeriy Dmitriyev, Alexsandre Diachenko, Maxim Iglinskiy, Roman Kireyev, Bolat Raimbekov and Alexander Vinokourov.

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