Giro organisers forced to alter 10th stage

The 10th stage of May's Giro d'Italia has been altered because of planning difficulties in the Alps, organisers said in a statement on Wednesday.

The Cuneo-Pinerolo stage on May 19, a favourite of riders, will now take place on the Italian side of the Alps only after it was decided the original route was too remote and French radio communication could not be assured.

Organisers, who hope Lance Amstrong will recover from a broken collarbone in time to compete, also said 21 teams had been invited to take part in the 100th edition of the race with Barloworld the last to secure its place.