Spain’s former three-time world road race champion Oscar Freire has begun the new year with two resolutions: racing the Giro d’Italia for the first time, and putting his plans to retire on ice.

Top sprinter Freire announced on the website of his professional road team, Dutch outfit Rabobank, on Tuesday that he is simply following team orders.

“The Giro (Tour of Italy) begins in the Netherlands (on May 8th) and the team want me to be there. I think the race actually suits me. I’d like to at least win a stage,” said Freire.

General team manager Erik Breukink added: “In principal, we’re counting on him to be there.”

Freire is a rare breed in that he is a Spaniard, and knows how to produce the top end speed needed during hectic bunch sprints to claim victory.

He had initially planned to retire at the end of 2010 after a sterling career that has also been peppered with accident and injury.

However, the 34-year-old two-time winner of Milan-SanRemo is hoping to impress bosses enough this year to be given a contract extension through to 2011.

“I’ve more or less made up my mind. I’m feeling in great condition again and if everything goes well in 2010 I will go on through 2011,” he added.

“It’s a good team, well organized and I feel comfortable here.”

Freire has also notably won the Ghent-Wevelgem semi-classic and four stages of the Tour de France.