OPQS team built around Cavendish for Giro

Cavendish, in his first season with the team, has already won 10 stages on the Giro in the past.

"We start with a very good team built around Mark Cavendish," Sport Director Davide Bramati said. "The presence of a pure sprinter such as Mark will change our approach to the race if we compare it with our last participations. In any stage where we have a possibility, we have to try to do our best to go for the win.

"I think an immediate important moment will be the first stage in Naples. Everyone wants to fight for the first pink jersey. The competition is fierce, but we can count on a good group. We believe in our team and we will be there to try to fight and win."

Omega Pharma-QuickStep line-up for the Giro d’Italia: Gianluca Brambilla (ITA), Mark Cavendish (GBR), Michal Golas (POL), Iljo Keisse (BEL), Serge Pauwels (BEL), Jerome Pineau (FRA), Gert Steegmans (BEL), Matteo Trentin (ITA), Julien Vermote (BEL)

The event starts in Naples on Saturday and is exclusively live in the UK on British Eurosport.