No Giro for Cunego in 2008

By Protournews

Former Giro d 'Italia winner Damiano Cunego looks set to skip this year's Giro in order to focus on his preparations for the Tour de France, his Lampre team revealed Sunday.

Cungo pictured early this year

The 2004 Tour of Italy winner has made the French race his top priority this season, Lampre sporting director Maurizio Piovani told AFP.

"The definitive decision will be taken after the Liege-Bastogne-Liege (race)," explained Piovani.

"But the Tour of Switzerland (June 14-22) would be better preparation for the Tour de France than the Giro (May 10-June 1)."

The 26-year-old Italian has competed just once in the Tour de France in 2006 and did not finish the race.

But he is among the favourites this year with Spaniard Alberto Contador not defending his title because his Astana team were not invited by organisers.

Cunego is not competing in the Criterium International here in the Ardennes this weekend because of an infection, but is planning to take part in the Amstel Gold Race, the Fleche Wallonne and the Liege-Bastogne-Liege.

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