The race starts in less than a day. Here’s a preview of the Team Time Trial and other news:

• VeloNews is predicting that the Giro may be the best race of the year. Defending champ Danilo di Luca (LPR Brakes) will be there, along with Contador (Astana, 2007 TdF winner), Denis Menchov (Rabobank, 2007 Vuelta winner), Paolo Bettini (Quickstep, 2007 World Champion), and former Giro winners Paolo Salvoldelli (LPR) and Gilberto Simoni (Diquigiovanni-Androni). Contador will joined by teammates Andreas Klöden and Levi Leipheimer, who are also believed to have a shot at the podium.
• There are 2 U.S. registered teams at this year’s race: Slipstream-Chipotle and High Road. Slipstream is said to be aiming solidly at a win in Saturday’s team time trial.
• Steve Morabito will replace Benjamin Noval on the Astana squad. Noval is out with stomach issues.
• Spanish rider David Arroyo (Caisse d’Epargne) will be replaced by Mathieu Perget after breaking his wrist in a training ride crash earlier this week.
•  Pez Cycling News has a nice overview of the course for the team time trial as well as some of the sights and scenes in Palermo.

• Pez is pretty much saying that Astana has the triple threat in Contador, Kloden and Leiphimer for the overall win.
• This is said to be the last Grand Tour for two-time winner and long time podium hanger Gilberto Simoni.