Armstrong to miss 2010 Giro d'Italia

Posted: Friday 23rd October 2009 | 14:14

LANCE Armstrong will miss next year's Giro d'Italia after announcing he will race at the Tour of California.

CHANGE OF SCENERY: Lance Armstrong raced in the shadow of Alberto Contador this year but has set up Team RadioShack to launch a fresh attack on the Tour de France in 2010 (Getty Images)

The California race normally takes place in Feburary but will start on May 16 in 2010 while the Giro, the world's second biggest stage race and first Grand Tour of the year, begins on May 8.

"I've decided to ride the Tour of California in 2010," said Armstrong on Twitter.

The 38-year-old came 12th in the 2009 edition of the Giro after announcing his comeback from retirement before finishing third at the Tour de France behind rival Alberto Contador and Andy Schleck .

Armstrong - a seven-time winner of the Tour de France - raced for Astana this year but will compete for his new Team RadioShack next season.

Defending Tour of California champion Levi Leipheimer will also race for RadioShack in California and the race boasts a new route and new date to avoid the wet and chilly weather which blighted this year's event.

The 2010 Giro is due to start in Amsterdam but the full route will be announced on Saturday.