Next year's Giro to start in Venice

The 2009 Giro d'Italia will start from Venice on May 9, the city's mayor said this week.

"Venice is very pleased to host the first stage of the Giro d'Italia 12 years after the last time and on the extraordinary occasion of its centenary," Massimo Cacciari told reporters.

The rest of the route for the world's second biggest stage race has yet to be released but the race will finish on May 31.

Seven times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong has said he will compete in the Giro for the first time next year as part of his cycling comeback.

This year's winner Alberto Contador, Armstrong's Astana team-mate, has said he will not defend his title as he concentrates on July's Tour.