Xacobeo Galicia, Acqua & Sapone pleased with Giro invites

RCS Sport has named Xacobeo Galicia as one of its initial 20 teams invited to the 2009 Giro d'Italia, a reflection of a continued dialogue between the race organizers and the teams's management since last year's Giro, according to directeur sportif and manager Alvaro Pino.

"We are going with our best team with the highest ambitions, because between this race and the Vuelta a España, our other major goal, there is enough time to contest them both in the best condition," Pino said. The Spanish Professional Continental team will ride in support of its strongest rider, Ezequiel Mosquera, at both the Giro and Vuelta.

The Fundación Ciclismo Galego, the organization that administers the Xacobeo Galicia team, has called the invitation to the Giro d'Italia a "superb prize" for its riders. Additionally, the foundation said, "It's a big day for Galician cycling. The towns and cities of Galicia have expressed their encouragement for the team against such a strong international field."

Acqua & Sapone - Caffè Mokambo's managers are "flattered by this invitation from RCS Sport, to be selected to such historical races as Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-Sanremo and the Giro d'Italia is for us a great satisfaction."

Stefano Garzelli, a former Giro d'Italia champion and Acqua & Sapone team member, added, "It is a great opportunity for the team. The centenarian Giro d'Italia includes Armstrong and many other riders who will make the Giro more important than the Tour and I dream of being among the protagonists."