Lance Armstrong is set to miss next year's Giro d'Italia after announcing he will race in the Tour of California.
The California race starts on 16 May while the Giro, the world's second-biggest stage race, begins on 8 May.
The seven-time Tour de France winner finished 12th in this year's Giro as part of his comeback after three-and-a-half years in retirement.
Armstrong, 38, who raced for Astana this year, has set up the new RadioShack team for next season.
Next year's Tour of California boasts a new route and new dates to avoid the West Coast's wet winter weather after this year's race, which took place in February, featured wet and chilly conditions.
The full route for next year's Giro will be announced on Saturday but the race will begin in Amsterdam.
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