PARIS, May 5, 2010 – Organizers of the Tour of Italy which starts Saturday in Amsterdam intend to have “the most competitive” drug tested cycling race in history.

The 2010 Giro, which follows several editions marred by doping scandals (involving riders Basso, Ricco, Piepoli, Sella, Di Luca, Pellizotti), should be run in the interests “of the health of riders and the global picture of the competition and cycling in general”, stated organizers.

Organizers said they were aware that a victory against doping through the actions of the various partners (cycling federations, organizers, teams, riders) have to be on a global level.

Compared to last year, an even greater number of doping test will be performed(blood tests: 520 -vs- 340).

The test will be conducted in four different laboratories (Rome, Lausanne, Paris, Cologne) and three medical inspectors will be on the ground at all times.

In advance of the race, the teams have submitted the names of their 15 riders. They must specify nine starters, so that they can be tested to precisely match the passport controls of the International Cycling Union (UCI).

In 2009, two of the first three of the Giro have been hit hard by doping scandals. The second, Italy’s Danilo Di Luca, tested positive during tests carried out during the race and the third, his compatriot Franco Pellizotti, has been accused of doping, last Monday, on the basis of abnormal variations in blood values.