ROME (AP) — Giro d’Italia organizers are planning to present Michele Scarponi with the pink jersey as last year’s champion after Alberto Contador was stripped of the honor for doping.
Giro general director Michele Acquarone tells The Associated Press that the presentation will be held next Thursday in Denmark, two days before this year’s race kicks off with three stages in the Scandinavian country.
In February, Contador received a two-year ban that was backdated, annulling his 2011 Giro win, among other races.
Scarponi finished second last year, fellow Italian Vincenzo Nibali was third and John Gadret of France was fourth.
Acquarone says Scarponi will wear the No. 1 jersey in the May 5-27 race, which ends in Milan.
