Oct 13, 2008, 15:07 GMT
Milan - Lance Armstrong confirmed Monday that he will race in next year's Giro d'Italia for the first time.
'I will give my utmost, and not only to prepare for the Tour,' the seven-time Tour de France winner said in a statement from race organizers RCS Sport.
'Not having taken part in the Giro was one of my biggest regrets as a rider. Finally I will be able to do it.'
Armstrong retired from the sport three years ago but never competed in the Italian race, which takes place from May 9 to 31, 2009.
Last month, Giro chief Angelo Zomegnan invited the 37-year-old American to compete in the event, which celebrates its 100th edition next year.
'No previous cycling superstar had ever left out the Giro, said Zomegan.
Armstrong makes his return to competitive cycling for his Astana team at the Tour Down Under in January before racing in California.
It remains unclear whether Astana's Alberto Contador, winner of this year's race as well as the 2007 Tour de France, will defend his Giro title in 2009.
The Spaniard threatened to leave Astana after Armstrong's signing but team boss Johan Bruyneel has on several occasions stated that Armstrong will have to fight for the right to be team leader.
'At the end of the day the strongest rider will be supported, regardless of his name or what he has achieved in the past,' said Bruyneel.
Armstrong was only given the go ahead to begin his comeback in Australia last week. Cycling's world body, the International Cycling Union (UCI), granted a dispensation from a drug-testing rule to allow him to return to cycling two weeks early.
UCI rules state that a rider must be in an anti-doping programme for six months before entering competition.
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