Millar confirms he's racing in Giro

Britain?s David Millar has confirmed he will be racing in the Tour of Italy this May. However, he will be making a planned abandon of the race half-way through.

The three-week race had not originally been in the Garmin rider's plans as he was instead to focus on the Tour de France, but with no racing in his legs since Paris Nice when he broke his collar bone, a change of plan was needed.

?We only made this decision last week,? Millar told Cycling Weekly on Wednesday.

"We think it?s for the best and on top of that I can help the team in the [opening] team time trial." Garmin won the opening TTT in 2008, putting their leader Christian Vande Veld in the leaders pink jersey.

Millar will pull out half-way through the race, and then plans to race the Dauphine Libere before doing the Tour.

The Garmin rider broke his collarbone earlier this spring, and is now back into regular training. ?It still hurts and I can?t yet adopt my team time trial position on the bike, although I?ll try that next week. But it?s progressing.?

?I know it?s a tough first week in the Giro [with several stages in the Dolomites] so it?s not ideal. But there?s no easy way back.?

Millar?s decision means he will start all three major Tours in the same year for the first time in his career. He also rode the Giro in 2008.

RELATED LINKS

CW's 2008 Giro d'Italia coverage

EXTERNAL LINKS

Giro d'Italia website