Mark Cavendish?s Columbia team will kick off the 2009 Giro d?Italia on Saturday (May 9).
Team Columbia is the first squad to roll the down the start ramp of the 20.5km time trial on the Venezia seafront at 3.35pm Italian time.
The 22 team start at five minute intervals. Big favourites Garmin-Slipstream start at 3.50pm, Saxo Bank is at 4.45pm and Lance Armstrong?s Astana team is last to start at 5.20pm.
With the teams expected to cover the course at over 50km/h, the winner and first pink jersey of the centenary Giro will be known just after 5.45pm Italian time.
Time/team
All times are local
15.35: Columbia
15.40: Rabobank
15.45: Barloworld
15.50: Garmin
15.55: AG2R
16.00: Diquigiovanni
16.05: Bouygues Telecom
16.10: Xacobeo
16.15: Silence
16.20: Acqua § Sapone
16.25: Quick Step
16.30: Liquigas
16.35: Fuji
16.40: Cervélo
16.45: Saxo Bank
16.50: Katusha
16.55: ISD
17.00: Milram
17.05: Lampre
17.10: Caisse d'Epargne
17.15: LPR
17.20: Astana
| Giro d'Italia 2009 links |
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2009 Giro d'Italia guide and features
Giro d'Italia 2009: The Big Preview
CW's Giro top ten prediction
Brits in the Giro 2009
Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Cavendish
CW Classic: the 1987 Giro d'Italia
2008 Giro d'Italia archive
Giro d'Italia 2008 coverage index - race reports, photos, results
From rule Britannia to cruel Britannia
Giro 2008: The final word on this year's race
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Five days to go, what's in store?
Giro d'Italia 2008: Rest day review (May 27)
Giro d'Italia 2008: Rest day review (May 19)
Giro d'Italia 2008 preview
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