Lampre climbers to aid Scarponi's Giro bid

Lampre-Merida announced their squad for this year's first Grand Tour with Poland's Przemyslav Niemec, Italian Simone Stortoni and Colombian Jose Serpa charged with assisting the 2011 winner of the three-week race.

Scarponi picked up that title by default after Alberto Contador was stripped of victory following his failed drugs test at the 2010 Tour de France.

In last year's defence of his crown, the Italian finished the Giro in fourth place, with Canadian Ryder Hesjedal of Garmin-Barracuda claiming the pink jersey.

Lampre also named Roberto Ferrari in their roster and the Italian will be expected to contest for wins in the sprints, while Filippo Pozzato will hope to atone for a disappointing Spring.

Full Lampre roster for the Giro d'Italia: Mattia Cattaneo, Kristjan Durasek, Roberto Ferrari, Przemyslav Niemec, Daniele Pietropolli, Filippo Pozzato, Michele Scarponi, Jose Serpa and Simone Stortoni .