Team Type 1 continues Giro and WorldTour push

US Team Type 1 dreams of taking the diabetes message to the top of cycling as early as the Giro d'Italia in May.

"We are waiting on word for the Giro d'Italia. We understand that we are on the short list," explained sports director, Michael Carter. "We are on the same level as the second division Italian teams. Plus, we have the diabetes message. People have diabetes all over the world, even in Italy."

The Giro d'Italia is obliged to select the 18 World Tour teams, but has space for four second division teams, like Team Type 1.

Carter is with his team this week at the Tour de Mumbai in India. He explained Team Type 1 is relaxed about the Giro d'Italia invitations. The team already will be racing top US race, the Tour of California in May. Besides, Carter looks ahead to a possible WorldTour, first division licence next season that guarantees entry into the Grand Tours.

"The goal is getting a ProTour [WorldTour] licence and to ride the Tour de France. With Sanofi Aventis we are well positioned. They are based in Paris, a global pharmaceutical company."

Team founders Joe Eldrige and Phil Southerland helped bring in sponsor Sanofi Aventis three years ago. With the sponsor and six diabetic riders, they hope to spread the word that the disease can be easily controlled.

"We want to get the message out that you can still live your life," added Michael Carter, "and there is no better way to do that then to win."

Giro d'Italia race director, Angelo Zomegnan may be ready to introduce another US team to Grand Tour racing.

"I was the first one who invited slipstream to a Grand Tour, and they won the time trial in Palermo," said Zomegnan last year. "We were the first one to invite Bob Stapleton after the T-Mobile scandal."

Zomegnan will inform Team Type 1 of its chance to race likely within a month's time, when he announces his wild-card invitations.