Alessandro Petacchi has confirmed that he will ride both Giro d'Italia and Tour de France this year. However, in constrast to most occasions in his long career, "Ale-Jet" will ride both Grand Tours in a supporting role this time.

Petacchi announced his schedule in an interview with Italian newspaper Il Tirreno. "I'll ride Tour of Turkey with Mark Cavendish, then Giro d'Italia, Tour de Suisse and the season climax, Tour de France."

"In the Giro, I'll work for our team leader, Rigoberto Uran, in the flat stages. Then I'll lead Cavendish out in Tour de France."

Talking about his own chances in Giro d'Italia, the 40-year-old veteran remains sober. "Our Giro team is all for Uran so I'll be completely alone in sprint finishes. That's too dangerous for an old rider like me. But May 10th is the birthday of my son so I'd love to give him and my wife a nice gift on that day."

Petacchi is enjoying a great moment as he put an end to the drought of victory with a sprint win in the Belgian semi-classic GP Cerami recently. "After two years of difficulties, the victory gives me a moment of relief. It's a great satisfaction to know that I can still compete with riders who are 15 years younger than me," said Petacchi.