2009 Giro d'Italia#Points classification

{{mainlist|List of teams and cyclists in the 2009 Giro d'Italia}}

Twenty-two teams were announced for the Giro. These included fifteen ProTour teams, and seven Professional Continental teams. Three ProTour teams did not wish to participate, and were thus not invited: {{UCI team code|COF|2009}}, {{UCI team code|EUS|2009}}, and {{UCI team code|FDJ|2009}}.{{cite web

|author=Stephen Farrand

|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/345308/barloworld-left-off-first-giro-d-italia-team-list.html

|title=Barloworld left off first Giro d'Italia team list

|publisher=Cycling Weekly

|date=2009-01-28

|access-date=2009-08-28

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715013509/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/barloworld-left-off-first-giro-ditalia-team-list-70964

|archive-date=15 July 2014

|url-status=dead

}} Conversely, the organizers of the race originally declined to invite {{UCI team code|FUJ|2009}},{{cite news

|url=http://www.bikeradar.com/us/news/article/fuji-not-invited-to-giro-ditalia-20172/

|title=Fuji not invited to Giro d'Italia

|date=2009-01-29

|work=BikeRadar.com

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-08-27

|agency=AFP

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711171642/http://www.bikeradar.com/us/news/article/fuji-not-invited-to-giro-ditalia-20172/

|archive-date=11 July 2015

|url-status=dead

}} but changed this decision on 23 April, inviting them as the Giro's 22nd and final team.

{{cite news

|url = http://www.rbaction.net/fly.aspx?layout=content&taxid=69&cid=1470

|title = Giro Invites Fuji-Servetto, Xacobeo Galicia

|date = 2009-04-23

|work = Road Bike Action Magazine

|publisher = Hi-Torque Publications, Inc

|access-date = 2010-02-06

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120306110200/http://www.rbaction.net/fly.aspx?layout=content&taxid=69&cid=1470

|archive-date = 6 March 2012

|url-status = dead}} Each team sent a squad of nine riders, so the Giro began with a peloton of 198 cyclists.

{{cite web

|language=it

|url=http://www.gazzetta.it/ssi/2008/boxes/giro2009/sito/squadre_en.shtml

|title=The teams

|work=La Gazzetta dello Sport

|access-date=2009-10-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714104020/http://www.gazzetta.it/ssi/2008/boxes/giro2009/sito/squadre_en.shtml

|archive-date=14 July 2015

|url-status=live

}}

The 22 teams that took part in the race were:{{cite web

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=startlist

|title=Start list

|date=2009-05-09

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-10-07

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091001134228/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=startlist| archive-date= 1 October 2009 | url-status= live}}

File:Leipheimer 2009C.jpg

The Astana team did not include 2008 race champion Alberto Contador, who chose not to defend his championship,

{{cite news

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/7696002.stm

|title=Contador opts to miss 2009 Giro

|date=2008-10-28

|work=BBC

|publisher=BBC

|access-date=2009-03-10

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090311162307/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/7696002.stm| archive-date= 11 March 2009 | url-status= live}} but did include Lance Armstrong, who had recently returned from retirement.

{{cite news

|author=Stephen Farrand

|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Lance_Armstrong_to_ride_2009_Giro_dItalia_article_269874.html

|title=Lance Armstrong to ride 2009 Giro d'Italia

|date=2008-10-13

|publisher=CyclingWeekly.co.uk

|access-date=2009-03-10

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090215062300/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/Lance_Armstrong_to_ride_2009_Giro_dItalia_article_269874.html| archive-date= 15 February 2009 | url-status= dead}} Though his appearance was put in doubt after he crashed out of stage 1 of the Vuelta a Castilla y León and broke his collarbone, Armstrong announced on 16 April that he would start the Giro despite undergoing surgery for his injury.

{{cite news

|agency=Associated Press

|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2009-04-16-armstrong-giro-d-italia_N.htm

|title=Lance Armstrong confirmed for Giro despite surgery

|date=2009-04-16

|work=USA Today

|publisher=Gannett Company

|access-date=2009-10-07

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102084048/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2009-04-16-armstrong-giro-d-italia_N.htm

|archive-date=2 November 2012

|url-status=live

}} {{UCI team code|SIL|2009|nolink=yes}} star Cadel Evans was originally announced to be taking part in the Giro,{{cite news

|author=Bike Radar & AFP

|url=http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/cadel-evans-racing-the-2009-giro-19635

|title=Cadel Evans racing the 2009 Giro

|date=2008-12-10

|work=BikeRadar.com

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-03-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712184545/http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/cadel-evans-racing-the-2009-giro-19635/

|archive-date=12 July 2015

|url-status=dead

}} but he publicly announced shortly afterward that he would not ride it, and accused RCS Sport (the organizers of the race) of using his name to promote the event.{{cite news

|author=Cyclingnews.com

|url=http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/cadel-evans-wont-race-the-2009-giro-ditalia-19654

|title=Cadel Evans won't race the 2009 Giro d'Italia

|date=2008-12-12

|work=BikeRadar.com

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-03-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516061202/http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/cadel-evans-wont-race-the-2009-giro-ditalia-19654

|archive-date=16 May 2009

|url-status=dead

}} Contador and Evans both chose to focus on the Tour de France later in the season.

Many riders were named as contenders, including Ivan Basso, Levi Leipheimer, Armstrong, Damiano Cunego, Carlos Sastre, Gilberto Simoni, Danilo Di Luca, Marzio Bruseghin, and Denis Menchov.{{cite news

|author=Greg Johnson

|title=Rating the riders in Italy

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=/features/2009/giro09_rating_contenders

|date=2009-05-07

|access-date=2009-08-27

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726191231/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=/features/2009/giro09_rating_contenders

|archive-date=26 July 2014

|url-status=live

}} Before his collarbone injury, Armstrong was considered an overall favorite, and it was also noted that three time trials, including the insertion of an unusually long time trial mid-race, might favor him. Pre-race analysis noted that Armstrong, when on his best form, would be a rider very likely to gain from having such a long race against the clock included in the Giro.{{cite news

|author=Gregor Brown

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=/features/2009/giro09_presentation

|title=Giro d'Italia celebrates 100 years with bella route

|date=2008-12-14

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-08-27

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091005173147/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=%2Ffeatures%2F2009%2Fgiro09_presentation

|archive-date=5 October 2009

|url-status=live

}}

Former winner Stefano Garzelli named Leipheimer as the favorite,{{cite news

|author=Gregor Brown

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2009/may09/may01news2

|title=Garzelli tips Leipheimer for Giro

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|date=2009-05-01

|access-date=2009-08-27

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017213129/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/news.php?id=news/2009/may09/may01news2

|archive-date=17 October 2014

|url-status=live

}} as did some American media outlets.{{cite news

|author=Juliet Macur

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/sports/cycling/10cycling.html

|title=Leipheimer Is Poised to Break Away in the Giro d'Italia

|work=New York Times

|date=2009-05-09

|access-date=2009-10-11

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240527015048/https://www.webcitation.org/6QYaQhddi?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/10/sports/cycling/10cycling.html%3F_r=1&

|archive-date=27 May 2024

|url-status=live

}}{{cite news

|author = Andrew Dampf

|url = http://bleacherreport.com/articles/172314-low-key-levi-leipheimer-is-a-contender-at-giro

|title = Low-Key Levi Leipheimer Is a Contender at Giro

|agency = Associated Press

|date = 2009-05-11

|access-date = 2010-12-15

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150711071259/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/172314-low-key-levi-leipheimer-is-a-contender-at-giro

|archive-date = 11 July 2015

|url-status = dead}} Armstrong considered Basso to be the favorite when speaking about the Giro in December 2008.{{cite news

|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/12/road/armstrong-likes-giro-route-calls-basso-favorite_85892

|title=Armstrong likes Giro route, calls Basso favorite

|work=VeloNews

|agency=Agence France-Presse

|publisher=Competitor Group, Inc

|date=2008-12-13

|access-date=2009-10-11

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304225115/http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/12/news/road/armstrong-likes-giro-route-calls-basso-favorite_85892

|archive-date=4 March 2016

|url-status=dead

}} Other news outlets also referred to Basso as the pre-race favorite.{{cite news

|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2009-05-08-armstrong-giro_N.htm

|title=Armstrong rides, but Ivan Basso is Giro d'Italia favorite

|work=USA Today

|publisher=Gannett Company

|date=2009-05-08

|access-date=2009-10-11

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711154342/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2009-05-08-armstrong-giro_N.htm

|archive-date=11 July 2015

|url-status=live

}}{{cite news

|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-05-25/bertagnolli-shrugs-off-heat-to-win-giro-stage/1693306

|title=Bertagnolli shrugs off heat to win Giro stage

|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation

|agency=Reuters

|date=2009-05-24

|access-date=2009-10-11

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111043919/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-05-25/bertagnolli-shrugs-off-heat-to-win-giro-stage/1693306

|archive-date=11 November 2012

|url-status=live

}}

Only a small number of stages were expected to end in a sprint, barring a successful breakaway. Sprinters in the event included Mark Cavendish, Alessandro Petacchi, Allan Davis, Filippo Pozzato, Robert Hunter, Robert Förster, Tyler Farrar, Juan José Haedo, and Oscar Gatto.{{cite news

|author = Chris Graetz

|url = http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=14713

|title = 92nd Giro d'Italia – The Sprinters Preview

|publisher = Daily Peloton

|date = 2009-05-08

|access-date = 2009-10-11

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130419215208/http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=14713

|archive-date = 19 April 2013

|url-status = dead}}

{{clear}}

File:TeamsPresentationsGiro2009Venice.jpg]]

The first Giro d'Italia was held in 1909, and the 2009 route was designed to commemorate the 100th anniversary, though interruptions due to World War I and World War II meant this was only the 92nd race. Milan, which had for years been the city in which the Giro concluded,{{cite news

|author=Mark Meadows

|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-38677320090324

|title=Giro d'Italia can shine without Lance Armstrong – federation

|date=2009-03-24

|work=Reuters

|access-date=2009-10-31

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926175407/http://in.reuters.com/article/2009/03/24/idINIndia-38677320090324

|archive-date=26 September 2012

|url-status=dead

}} was the site of a ten-lap criterium on the same circuit that began the first Giro d'Italia. Every city that hosted a stage start or finish in the first Giro was visited in 2009 with the exception of Genoa, although Arenzano (in the province of Genoa) hosted the finish to stage 11. The 11th stage also went over the Passo del Turchino, a climb used every year in the classic cycling race Milan–San Remo.

The tenth stage was planned to mimic stage 17 of the 1949 Giro d'Italia, which was won by Italian cycling legend Fausto Coppi en route to the overall victory.{{cite news

|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/5350941/Giro-dItalia-Danilo-di-Luca-retains-lead-after-winning-Fausto-Coppis-stage.html

|title=Giro d'Italia: Danilo di Luca retains lead after winning Fausto Coppi's stage

|date=2009-05-19

|author=John MacLeary

|work=The Daily Telegraph

|location=London

|access-date=2009-10-09

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114050100/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/5350941/Giro-dItalia-Danilo-di-Luca-retains-lead-after-winning-Fausto-Coppis-stage.html

|archive-date=14 November 2012

|url-status=live

}} That route originally included the Col d'Izoard, a climb in France which has been featured in the Tour de France numerous times. Race organizers were forced to alter this stage to cover only the Italian side of the Alps rather than also visit France, as there were concerns over radio communication in the area, and the roads stood the risk of landslides.{{cite news

|author=Les Clarke

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=/features/2009/giro09_battlegrounds

|title=Giro's key battlegrounds

|date=2009-05-06

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2010-02-21

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140627040423/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=/features/2009/giro09_battlegrounds

|archive-date=27 June 2014

|url-status=live

}} It was subsequently made longer than first planned, with an additional, shorter climb added.{{cite news

|author=Daniel Benson

|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/giro-loses-its-top

|title=Giro loses its top

|date=2009-05-20

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-10-31

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313021346/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/giro-loses-its-top/

|archive-date=13 March 2016

|url-status=live

}} Stages 10 and 16, the latter of which went over Monte Petrano and two other first-category climbs, were both called the race's queen stage.{{cite news

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=stages/giro0910

|title=Stage 10 – Tuesday, May 19: Cuneo – Pinerolo, 262 km

|date=2009-05-09

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-10-31

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001062943/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=stages%2Fgiro0910

|archive-date=1 October 2009

|url-status=live

}}{{cite video | people = Steve Schlanger and Todd Gogulski (commentators) | date = 2009-05-25 | title = Giro d'Italia: Stage 16 | medium = Television production | publisher = Universal Sports | location = Cagli, Italy }}

The route received a small amount of criticism for failing to include any well-known and especially difficult climbs such as the Passo del Mortirolo or Monte Zoncolan, instead including stages featuring multiple climbs with lesser ascents. Race director Angelo Zomegnan responded to the criticism by saying, "I won't follow the philosophy that the selection of climbs has to be determined by their names."

The 21 stages of the 2009 Giro d'Italia were divided into five categories: one team time trial, seven flat stages, four intermediate stages, seven mountain stages and two individual time trials. The type of stage together with the average speed of the winner decided how much time each cyclist would be allowed to finish that stage before being eliminated from the race.

{{main|2009 Giro d'Italia, Stage 1 to Stage 11|2009 Giro d'Italia, Stage 12 to Stage 21}}

File:2009 Giro d'Italia, stage 1 cropped.jpg]]

The Giro began with a team time trial in Lido, a barrier island in the city of Venice. The starting order of the teams was decided by a random draw. {{UCI team code|THR|2009a|nolink=yes}}, the first team to take the course, won the stage, giving their star sprinter Mark Cavendish the first pink jersey as leader of the race. Cavendish was defeated in a sprint finish the following day by Italian Alessandro Petacchi, who was riding for the {{UCI team code|LPR|2009}} team.{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009//giro09/?id=results/giro092

|title="Lazy" Cavendish learns the hard way, but keeps maglia rosa

|date=2009-05-10

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618003206/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro092

|archive-date=18 June 2009

|url-status=live

}} Petacchi became the next wearer of the pink jersey, after he won the Stage 3 sprint into Valdobbiadene.{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro093

|title=Silenzio! Oh Ale-Jet, how good can you get?

|date=2009-05-11

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-08-26

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001062109/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro093

|archive-date=1 October 2009

|url-status=live

}} Cavendish went on to win three mass-start stages,{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro099

|title=Cavendish wins a stage left wanting

|date=2009-05-17

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-18

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090621001914/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro099

|archive-date=21 June 2009

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0911

|title=Cavendish "floats" to second sprint win

|date=2009-05-20

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-20

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618005618/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0911

|archive-date=18 June 2009

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0913

|title=By far the fastest in Firenze: A hat-trick for Cav

|date=2009-05-22

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-22

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726190713/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0913

|archive-date=26 July 2014

|url-status=live

}} but {{UCI team code|THR|2009a|nolink=yes}}'s success was not limited to Cavendish's victories nor the team time trial, as Edvald Boasson Hagen and Kanstantsin Sivtsov also took stage wins.{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro097

|title=Boasson Hagen the big boss of Chiavenna And set to move out of Hushovd's shadow

|date=2009-05-15

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-18

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618005624/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro097

|archive-date=18 June 2009

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro098

|title=Do what we may: Columbia has another gem in Siutsou

|date=2009-05-16

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-18

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090620015825/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro098

|archive-date=20 June 2009

|url-status=live

}}

The first two high mountain stages of the Giro revealed the men who would battle for the overall race title. Danilo Di Luca of {{UCI team code|LPR|2009|nolink=yes}} took the win in Stage 4, and put himself just 2 seconds off the pink jersey.{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro094

|title=Di Luca still the cold-blooded killer

|date=2009-05-09

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-09

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726190753/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro094

|archive-date=26 July 2014

|url-status=live

}} The next day, he claimed the jersey, when he was second to stage winner Denis Menchov at Alpe di Siusi as an elite group of favorites emerged including Menchov, Di Luca, and others who had performed well on the climb and were in high places in the overall standings.{{cite web

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro095

|author=Anthony Tan

|title=Six firm favourites

|date=2009-05-13

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-18

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629015052/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro095

|archive-date=29 June 2009

|url-status=live

}}

Menchov was fifth after Alpe di Siusi, but rose to second before stage 12, the very long and hilly individual time trial in Cinque Terre. There, he claimed a convincing victory; only Levi Leipheimer finished within a minute of Menchov's winning time. Di Luca was nearly two minutes slower than him, finished sixth on the stage, and fell to second overall, with Menchov assuming the race lead.{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0912

|title=Russian juggernaut's pedals pound their way to pink

|date=2009-05-21

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-21

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616141136/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0912

|archive-date=16 June 2009

|url-status=live

}} Di Luca tried repeatedly to shed Menchov during the remaining mountain stages to make up the time difference, which was never more than a minute. The two riders were involved in sprints for time bonuses at the finish line in stages 16{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0916

|title="I came here for a fight": Sastre launches bid for victory

|date=2009-05-25

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-25

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624132159/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0916

|archive-date=24 June 2009

|url-status=live

}} and 17,{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0917

|title=Menchov tightens grip on pink – but still room for a crisis or two

|date=2009-05-27

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-27

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090623015817/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0917

|archive-date=23 June 2009

|url-status=live

}} as well as an intermediate sprint in stage 20.{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009//giro09/?id=reults/giro0920

|title=Stylish Classics rider profits on Classics-style finish

|date=2009-05-30

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-30

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304142016/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009//giro09/?id=reults/giro0920

|archive-date=4 March 2016

|url-status=live

}} Menchov was consistently quicker than Di Luca in these sprints. With his superior time-trial skills providing the difference in the final stage, the Russian was able to emerge as Giro champion, despite a dramatic fall in the final kilometre before the finish line.{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009//giro09/?id=results/giro0921

|title=From Russia to Roma, with love: Menchov falls for maglia rosa

|date=2009-05-31

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-31

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619075627/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0921

|archive-date=19 June 2009

|url-status=live

}}

File:Garzelli 2009.jpg wearing the green jersey as mountains classification leader]]

Stefano Garzelli was the winner of the mountains classification, gaining points for consistent high placings on the summit stage finishes, as well as a brief breakaway on the mountainous stage 10. The points classification was won by Di Luca, after he finished in the top ten in eight of the road stages. The youth classification was won by Kevin Seeldraeyers, who remained consistent after Thomas Lövkvist lost nearly 25 minutes on stage 16. Lövkvist had, for one day earlier in the race, led not just the youth but also the general classification.

Controversy arose during the ten-lap Milan criterium of the ninth stage, when the riders staged a protest over what they viewed as unsafe riding conditions in that stage and those that preceded it. The most visible cause for the protest was Rabobank rider Pedro Horrillo's accident during the eighth stage; Horrillo sustained numerous fractures and head injuries after tumbling over a barricade on the roadside while descending the Culmine di San Pietro. Horrillo fell more than {{convert|60|m|abbr=on}},{{cite web

|author=Andrew Hood

|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/05/news/horrillo-in-medically-induced-coma-after-crash-catapults-him-into-ravine_92142

|title=Horrillo in medically induced coma after crash catapults him into ravine

|date=2009-05-16

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-10-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150914172632/http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/05/news/horrillo-in-medically-induced-coma-after-crash-catapults-him-into-ravine_92142

|archive-date=14 September 2015

|url-status=live

}} and nearly died as a result of his injuries.{{cite news

|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB124268596327032083

|title=Mining the Clues of a Near-Fatal Cycling Descent

|date=2009-05-19

|author=Reed Albergotti

|work=The Wall Street Journal

|publisher=Dow Jones & Company

|access-date=2009-10-10}} After spending five weeks in hospitals in both Italy and his native Spain, Horrillo eventually recovered,{{cite web

|author=Susan Westemeyer

|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horrillo-set-to-leave-hospital

|title=Horrillo set to leave hospital

|date=2009-06-22

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-10-10

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090930043703/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horrillo-set-to-leave-hospital| archive-date= 30 September 2009 | url-status= live}} though the day on the Culmine di San Pietro was his last as a professional cyclist, as he retired before the 2010 season began.{{cite web

|author=Cycling News

|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horrillo-decides-to-retire

|title=Horrillo decides to retire

|date=2010-01-08

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2010-02-05

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100212013429/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/horrillo-decides-to-retire| archive-date= 12 February 2010 | url-status= live}}

The protest at first only involved the criterium being neutralized – that is, the race director agreed that each rider would receive the same finishing time as the stage winner regardless of when they actually crossed the line.{{cite web

|author=Stephen Farrand

|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/milan-riders-protest-justified-or-a-farce-69010

|title=Milan riders' protest: Justified or a farce?

|date=2009-05-17

|publisher=Cycling Weekly

|access-date=2009-10-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150420003848/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/milan-riders-protest-justified-or-a-farce-69010

|archive-date=20 April 2015

|url-status=live

}} After the riders rode a lap of the course, they decided instead not to contest the stage at all, riding the first six circuits {{convert|20|km/h|abbr=on}} slower than previous stages. After four laps, they stopped altogether as race leader Di Luca addressed the unhappy crowd to explain their actions.{{cite web

|author=Eurosport

|url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17052009/58/giro-d-italia-cavendish-wins-farcical-stage.html

|title=Giro d'Italia – Cavendish wins farcical stage

|date=2009-05-17

|publisher=Yahoo! Sports

|access-date=2009-10-10

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090523220527/http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/17052009/58/giro-d-italia-cavendish-wins-farcical-stage.html

|archive-date=23 May 2009

}} The times for the stage did not count, and there was no aggressive riding until a final sprint finish. Along with Di Luca, Lance Armstrong was considered the principal voice speaking for the peloton on this day.{{cite web

|agency=Associated Press

|url=https://www.espn.com/olympics/news/story?id=4172813

|title=Armstrong, leader Di Luca spark protest

|date=2009-05-17

|publisher=ESPN

|access-date=2009-10-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103090847/http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/news/story?id=4172813

|archive-date=3 November 2012

|url-status=live

}} Although the protest was referred to by some as "unanimous," cyclists such as Filippo Pozzato, who was himself bearing injuries sustained in a crash that would later force him to leave the race, said the riders had been too hasty in their decision, and that it should have been made conclusively before the stage began.{{cite web

|author=Mark Meadows

|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/2419161/Giro-stage-turns-into-farce-after-rider-protest

|title=Giro stage turns into farce after rider protest

|date=2009-05-17

|publisher=Fairfax New Zealand

|access-date=2009-10-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160057/http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/2419161/Giro-stage-turns-into-farce-after-rider-protest

|archive-date=24 September 2015

|url-status=live

}} Armstrong apologized to the fans for the effect the protest had on what was supposed to be a grand spectacle,{{cite news

|author=Juliet Macur

|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/sports/cycling/20lance.html

|title=Armstrong Apologizes to Fans for Cyclists' Protest at Giro d'Italia

|date=2009-05-19

|work=New York Times

|access-date=2009-10-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220610051704/https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/20/sports/cycling/20lance.html?_r=0

|archive-date=10 June 2022

|url-status=live

}} but also contended that it was the correct decision for the peloton to make.{{cite web

|author=Andrew Hood

|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/05/news/armstrong-defends-rider-protest_92207

|title=Armstrong defends rider protest

|date=2009-05-19

|work=VeloNews

|publisher=Competitor Group, Inc

|access-date=2009-10-10

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001193635/http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/05/news/armstrong-defends-rider-protest_92207

|archive-date=1 October 2015

|url-status=live

}}

File:Denis Menchhov (cropped).jpg]]

Success in stages was limited to a few teams. Though there were nearly as many stages (21) as teams in the event (22), only eight teams ultimately came away with stage victories. Six different riders won multiple stages – Cavendish, Petacchi, Menchov, Di Luca,{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0910

|title=Leave no stone unturned: Di Luca più forte (the strongest) in Pinerolo

|date=2009-05-19

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-29

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625183912/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0910

|archive-date=25 June 2009

|url-status=live

}} Carlos Sastre,{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0919

|title=Menchov a certain winner as Sastre erupts on Vesuvio

|date=2009-05-29

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-29

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619021844/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0919

|archive-date=19 June 2009

|url-status=live

}} and Michele Scarponi.{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro096

|title=Confession leads to absolution: Scarponi repays the faith

|date=2009-05-14

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-18

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090624130221/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro096

|archive-date=24 June 2009

|url-status=live

}}{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0918

|title=Scarponi adds another as GC fav's lay low before Vesuvio

|date=2009-05-28

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-28

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618011710/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0918

|archive-date=18 June 2009

|url-status=live

}} Teammates of Sastre, Scarponi and Cavendish were also stage winners; Sastre's {{UCI team code|CTT|2009}} provided the winners to stages 14 (Simon Gerrans){{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0914

|title=A strong sense of déjà-vu: 10 months on, Gerrans wins big again in Italia

|date=2009-05-23

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-24

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726190718/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0914

|archive-date=26 July 2014

|url-status=live

}} and 21 (Ignatas Konovalovas), and Scarponi's teammate Leonardo Bertagnolli was the winner of stage 15.{{cite web

|author=Anthony Tan

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results/giro0915

|title=Serramenti's Bertagnolli defies the laws of the land

|date=2009-05-24

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-05-24

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090625192930/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=results%2Fgiro0915

|archive-date=25 June 2009

|url-status=live

}} The only teams to be single stage winners were {{UCI team code|LIQ|2009}} with Franco Pellizotti in stage 17, and {{UCI team code|SIL|2009}} with classics specialist Philippe Gilbert three days later in a stage thought to resemble a classic. Pellizotti was also the third-place overall finisher. With wins for Quick Step's Seeldraeyers in the youth classification, Garzelli of Acqua & Sapone in the climbers' competition, and {{UCI team code|AST|2008}} in the Trofeo Fast Team ranking, 11 teams – half of the total entries – won significant prizes during the race.{{cite web

|author = Staff

|url = http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=14867

|title = 92nd Giro d'Italia – Stage 21 Final Classification & Photos

|date = 2009-05-31

|publisher = Daily Peloton

|access-date = 2009-08-27

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130419215233/http://www.dailypeloton.com/displayarticle.asp?pk=14867

|archive-date = 19 April 2013

|url-status = dead}}

About two months after the event concluded, on 22 July, it was announced that second place overall finisher and points classification winner Di Luca had given two positive tests for continuous erythropoietin receptor activator (CERA, an erythropoietin derivative) on 20 and 28 May, before the Cinque Terre time trial and the Mount Vesuvius stage in the race's final week. He was provisionally suspended with immediate effect by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), cycling's governing body. It was announced on 8 August that the analyses of the B-samples from those controls confirmed the initial results, making it likely that Di Luca will be stripped of some or all of his results from the race.{{cite news

|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/idINIndia-41628520090808

|title=Italian Di Luca's positive CERA test confirmed

|date=2009-08-08

|work=Reuters

|access-date=2009-08-08

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183601/http://in.reuters.com/article/2009/08/08/idINIndia-41628520090808

|archive-date=14 July 2014

|url-status=dead

}}{{cite web

|url=http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/07/news/disdain-for-di-luca-at-tour_95740

|title=Disdain for Di Luca at Tour

|date=2009-07-23

|work=VeloNews

|publisher=Competitor Group, Inc

|access-date=2009-11-09

|author=Andrew Hood

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303220933/http://velonews.competitor.com/2009/07/news/disdain-for-di-luca-at-tour_95740

|archive-date=3 March 2016

|url-status=dead

}} {{UCI team code|LPR|2009|nolink=yes}} fired him on 13 August.{{cite web

|author=Susan Westemeyer

|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/di-luca-claims-conspiracy-in-doping-positive

|title=LPR Brakes fires Di Luca over doping charges

|date=2009-08-13

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-10-10

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20091002053755/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/di-luca-claims-conspiracy-in-doping-positive| archive-date= 2 October 2009 | url-status= live}} Di Luca at first maintained his innocence and claimed a conspiracy against him by the labs handling the tests.{{cite news

|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-cycling-italy-di-luca-idUKTRE57P2NV20090826

|title=Di Luca says will clear his name after positive test

|date=2009-08-26

|access-date=2010-02-05

|work=Reuters

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013032222/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2009/08/26/uk-cycling-italy-di-luca-idUKTRE57P2NV20090826

|archive-date=13 October 2012

|url-status=dead

}}{{cite web

|author=Les Clarke

|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/di-luca-claims-conspiracy-in-doping-positive

|title=Di Luca claims conspiracy in doping positive

|date=2009-08-27

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-08-27

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090926090425/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/di-luca-claims-conspiracy-in-doping-positive| archive-date= 26 September 2009 | url-status= live}} A period of legal maneuvering between Di Luca and the Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) followed. CONI officials asked their anti-doping tribunal (TNA) to suspend Di Luca for three years – while two years is a customary ban for a doping positive,{{cite news

|url = http://web.utsandiego.com/news/2010/Feb/17/pa-cyclist-who-testified-against-landis-to-plead/

|title = Pa. cyclist who testified against Landis to plead

|date = 2010-02-17

|author = Joe Mandak

|work = U-T San Diego

|publisher = San Diego Union-Tribune

|access-date = 2010-03-05

|archive-url = https://archive.today/20140624004247/http://web.utsandiego.com/news/2010/Feb/17/pa-cyclist-who-testified-against-landis-to-plead/

|archive-date = 24 June 2014

|url-status = dead}} CONI prosecutors sought a third year for recidivism, stemming from Di Luca's previous doping incident two years earlier. He was given a two-year suspension, retroactive to July 2009, and indicated that he would appeal it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.{{cite web

|author = Maurizio Galdi

|url = http://english.gazzetta.it/More_sports/01-02-2010/epo-2-years-for-luca-but-ll-go-to-the-cas-602853952848.shtml

|title = Di Luca given two-year suspension for Giro CERA doping

|date = 2010-02-01

|work = La Gazzetta dello Sport

|publisher = RCS Sport

|access-date = 2010-03-05

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100206033507/http://english.gazzetta.it/More_sports/01-02-2010/epo-2-years-for-luca-but-ll-go-to-the-cas-602853952848.shtml

|archive-date = 6 February 2010

|url-status = dead}} In October 2010, Di Luca was reinstated to active status by CONI, due to his cooperation with several ongoing doping investigations, though his results were indeed stricken from the record.{{cite web

|author=Cycling News

|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/di-luca-free-to-race-after-coni-reduce-ban

|title=Di Luca free to race after CONI reduce ban

|date=2010-10-15

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2010-12-06

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140129111418/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/di-luca-free-to-race-after-coni-reduce-ban

|archive-date=29 January 2014

|url-status=live

}} On 10 January 2011, he signed with {{UCI team code|KAT|2011|nolink=yes}} and indicated that he would return to the Giro in 2011 to support Katusha team leader Joaquim Rodríguez.{{cite web

|author=Cycling News

|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/di-luca-set-to-ride-for-free-with-one-year-katusha-deal

|title=Di Luca set to ride for free with one year Katusha deal

|date=2011-01-10

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2011-01-10

| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110111231103/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/di-luca-set-to-ride-for-free-with-one-year-katusha-deal| archive-date= 11 January 2011 | url-status= live}}

Five days before the start of the 2010 Giro d'Italia, 2009 podium finisher Pellizotti was identified as a rider of interest to the UCI's biological passport program due to irregular blood values. He was removed from his team's start list for the Giro and provisionally suspended.{{cite web

|author=Gregor Brown

|url=http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/giro-ditalia/pellizotti-out-of-the-giro-due-to-biological-passport-findings-61239

|title=Pellizotti out of the Giro due to biological passport findings

|date=2010-05-03

|work=Cycling Weekly

|publisher=IPC Media Limited

|access-date=2011-03-12

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140212170306/http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/racing/giro-ditalia/pellizotti-out-of-the-giro-due-to-biological-passport-findings-61239

|archive-date=12 February 2014

|url-status=dead

}} The UCI asked that CONI open disciplinary proceedings against him,{{cite web

|url=http://www.uci.ch/Modules/ENews/ENewsDetails.asp?id=Njg2NQ&MenuId=MTk0OA&LangId=1&BackLink=%2FTemplates%2FUCI%2FUCI5%2Flayout.asp%3FMenuID%3DMTk0OA

|title=Press Release – Commencement of disciplinary proceedings on the basis of the biological passport

|date=2010-05-03

|work=UCI.ch

|publisher=Union Cycliste Internationale

|access-date=2011-03-12

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305201406/http://www.uci.ch/Modules/ENews/ENewsDetails.asp?id=Njg2NQ&MenuId=MTk0OA&LangId=1&BackLink=%2FTemplates%2FUCI%2FUCI5%2Flayout.asp%3FMenuID=MTk0OA

|archive-date=5 March 2012

|url-status=live

}} which had no resolution until after the 2010 season finished. TNA cleared him on 21 October and declared him free to race, at which time the Liquigas team intended to re-sign him.{{cite web

|author=Jean-François Quénet

|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/franco-pellizotti-cleared-to-race

|title=Franco Pellizotti cleared to race

|date=2010-10-21

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2011-03-12

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524144739/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/franco-pellizotti-cleared-to-race

|archive-date=24 May 2013

|url-status=live

}} The UCI decided in January 2011 to appeal his case to the CAS.{{cite news

|agency=Associated Press

|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2011-01-12-3339211279_x.htm

|title=UCI appeals Pellizotti's doping case to CAS

|date=2011-01-12

|work=USA Today

|publisher=Gannett Company

|access-date=2011-03-12

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104020005/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/cycling/2011-01-12-3339211279_x.htm

|archive-date=4 November 2012

|url-status=live

}} The hearing was held in March, and Pellizotti asked for a quick resolution, with plans to return with {{UCI team code|MOV|2011}} in the 2011 Tirreno–Adriatico if he were cleared. The court reached its decision after five days, upholding the UCI's appeal, handing Pellizotti a two-year ban, and stripping all his results from this Giro and the 2009 Tour de France.{{cite web

|author=Cycling News

|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pellizotti-banned-for-two-years-by-the-court-of-arbitration-for-sport

|title=Pellizotti banned for two years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport

|date=2011-03-08

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2011-03-12

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106170608/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/pellizotti-banned-for-two-years-by-the-court-of-arbitration-for-sport

|archive-date=6 November 2014

|url-status=live

}} Consequently, Pellizotti has said he is quitting the sport.{{cite web

|author=Cycling News

|url=http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/disappointed-pellizotti-says-hes-quitting-cycling

|title="Disappointed" Pellizotti says he's quitting cycling

|date=2011-03-09

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2011-03-12

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106190931/http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/disappointed-pellizotti-says-hes-quitting-cycling

|archive-date=6 November 2014

|url-status=live

}}

In the 2009 Giro d'Italia, four different jerseys were awarded. For the general classification, calculated by adding each cyclist's finishing times on each stage, and allowing time bonuses for the first three finishers on mass-start stages, the leader received a pink jersey. This classification is considered the most important of the Giro d'Italia, and the winner is considered the winner of the Giro.{{cite web|author=Laura Weislo |url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=/features/2008/giro_classifications08 |title=Giro d'Italia classifications demystified |date=13 May 2008 |work=Cycling News |publisher=Future Publishing Limited |access-date=13 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508234448/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2008/giro08/?id=/features/2008/giro_classifications08 |archive-date=8 May 2013 |url-status=live}}

Additionally, there was a points classification, which awarded a mauve jersey. In the points classification, cyclists got points for finishing in the top 15 in a stage. The stage win awarded 25 points, second place awarded 20 points, third 16, fourth 14, fifth 12, sixth 10, and one point fewer per place down the line, to a single point for 15th. In addition, points could be won in intermediate sprints.

There was also a mountains classification, which awarded a green jersey. In the mountains classifications, points were won by reaching the top of a mountain before other cyclists. Each climb was categorized as either first, second, or third category, with more points available for the higher-categorized climbs. The highest point in the Giro (called the Cima Coppi), which in 2009 was Sestrière in stage 10,{{cite web

|author=Laura Weislo

|url=http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009//giro09/?id=live/giro0910

|title=Complete live report

|date=2009-05-19

|work=Cycling News

|publisher=Future Publishing Limited

|access-date=2009-08-26

|quote=The climb of Sestrière offers an additional prize for Garzelli as it's the "Cima Coppi" – the highest peak of the Giro d'Italia.

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003214246/http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/?id=live%2Fgiro0910

|archive-date=3 October 2009

|url-status=live

}} afforded more points than the other first-category climbs.

The fourth jersey represented the young rider classification, which awarded a white jersey. This was decided the same way as the general classification, but only riders born after 1 January 1984 were eligible.

There were also two classifications for teams. The first was the Trofeo Fast Team. In this classification, the times of the best three cyclists per team on each stage were added; the leading team was the team with the lowest total time. The Trofeo Super Team was a team points classification, with the top 20 placed riders on each stage earning points (20 for first place, 19 for second place and so on, down to a single point for 20th) for their team.

The rows in the following table correspond to the jerseys awarded after that stage was run.

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Other less well-known classifications, whose leaders did not receive a special jersey, were awarded during the Giro. These awards were based on points earned throughout the three weeks of the tour.

Each mass-start stage had one intermediate sprint, the Traguardo Volante, or TV. The TV gave bonus seconds towards the general classification, points towards the regular points classification, and also points towards the TV classification. This award was known in previous years as the "Intergiro" and the "Expo Milano 2015" classification. It was won by Italian Giovanni Visconti, of {{UCI team code|ISD|2009a|nolink=yes}}.

Other awards included the Combativity classification, which was a compilation of points gained for position on crossing intermediate sprints, mountain passes and stage finishes. Mountains classification winner Stefano Garzelli won this award.

The Azzurri d'Italia classification was based on finishing order, but points were awarded only to the top three finishers in each stage. It was won, like the closely associated points classification, by Danilo Di Luca.

Additionally, the Trofeo Fuga Cervelo rewarded riders who took part in a breakaway at the head of the field, each rider in an escape of ten or fewer riders getting one point for each kilometre that the group stayed clear. {{UCI team code|QST|2009|nolink=yes}}'s Mauro Facci was first in this competition.

Teams were given penalty points for minor technical infringements. {{UCI team code|SIL|2009|nolink=yes}} and {{UCI team code|QST|2009|nolink=yes}} were most successful in avoiding penalties, and so shared leadership of the Fair Play classification.

The Giro was one of 24 events throughout the season that contributed points towards the 2009 UCI World Ranking. Points were awarded to the top 20 finishers overall, and to the top five finishers in each stage.{{cite web

|url = http://www.uciprotour.com/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTU2MjU&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NDk3ODU&LangId=1

|title = Points scale – UCI World Ranking

|publisher = Union Cycliste Internationale

|access-date = 2009-10-09

|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140624003254/http://www.uciprotour.com/Modules/BUILTIN/getObject.asp?MenuId=MTU2MjU&ObjTypeCode=FILE&type=FILE&id=NDk3ODU&LangId=1

|archive-date = 24 June 2014

|url-status = dead}}

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{{reflist|30em}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website|http://www.gazzetta.it/Speciali/Giroditalia/2009/en/}}
• [http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/road/2009/giro09/ cyclingnews.com] – Race reports and news features

{{2009 UCI World Ranking}}

{{Giro d'Italia}}

{{Cycling stage recaps|2009 Giro d'Italia|1|11|12|21}}

{{Giro d'Italia general classification winners}}

{{featured article}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2009 Giro d'Italia}}

Category:Giro d'Italia by year

Giro d'Italia

Giro Ditalia, 2009

Category:May 2009 sports events in Italy