While ProTour outfit Fuji-Servetto missed out, Cervélo, which only debuted earlier this season but possesses some of the peloton's brightest talents, was given a chance to demonstrate what it is capable of in the year's biggest event.
"That's extremely good news for us and it is a great honour to get the trust from the Tour de France organiser to be part of the 2009 Tour," said Managing Sport Director Thomas Campana. "We are looking forward to defending the title of Carlos Sastre. It's a great day here for us today."
The team's biggest card is its captain and defending Tour champion, Carlos Sastre, who also spoke about the news.
"I expected [the invitation] because the Tour director, Christian Prudhomme, told me on several occasions, both at the presentation of the Tour and the Vuelta, 'Carlos will always be welcome during his career'.
"The Tour has shown the respect it feels for me and my team, and we are very grateful. I hope to repay this invitation out on the road, as I have always done," said Sastre.
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