MADRID // Alberto Contador will not race in the 2009 Giro d'Italia and may also miss the Spanish Vuelta to focus on winning the Tour de France. The Spaniard has claimed a sweep of cycling's three major races, including the 2007 Tour and says he will be setting his sights on repeating the accomplishment next year. "Having won the Giro and the Vuelta this year, I'm going to return to the Tour to try and win," he said.
"I will not participate in the Giro 2009. I'll prepare for the Tour by racing in other competitions. "I'm certain to compete in races after the Tour, but I still have to decide whether I'll participate in the Vuelta or not." The 25-year-old Astana cyclist told journalists while at a charity race on Sunday that he might take part in the Paris-Nice event, which he won in 2007, or the Castilla and Leon Vuelta and possibly the Basque country Vuelta. Contador did not race in the 2008 Tour for Astana because his new team were barred for previous doping violations.
*AP
