 Six stages were classified as flat and likely to be contested by sprinters . Italian sprinter Alessandro Petacchi , who had notably won nine stages in the 2004 race , did not plan to enter this Giro because of bouts with influenza and bronchitis which hindered his training . He was later suspended from the sport , and his contract with Team Milram terminated , as a result of his controversial doping case from the 2007 Giro . Sprinters identified as being favorites in the bunch finishes that the Giro would offer included Alexandre <unk> , Dimitry Muravyev , Enrico Gasparotto , Maximiliano <unk> , Robert Förster , Mark Cavendish , André Greipel , Daniele Bennati , Paolo Bettini , Graeme Brown , Robbie McEwen , Julian Dean , Erik Zabel , and Alberto <unk> . <unk> was withdrawn by his team CSF Group – Navigare the day before the race began after a positive doping test , though he would later be cleared of any wrongdoing . His name remained on the start list , and he was not replaced , meaning CSF Group – Navigare entered the race with only eight riders instead of the customary nine . 
