Five Days from the Start of the 96th Giro d'Italia

We are five days away from the start of the 96th Giro d’Italia, Saturday, May 4th until Sunday, May 26th, from Naples to Brescia.

The potential contenders to wear the Maglia Rosa could be last year’s winner, Canadian Ryder Hesjedal, British rider Bradley Wiggins, Italian Vincenzo Nibali, the Spaniard and former Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez, Ivan Basso, Cadel Evans from Australia and the Dutch rider Robert Gesink.

Amongst the starters will also be the first Chinese rider in the Giro: JI Cheng of Team Argos Shimano.

Here is the list of the 23 teams at the start (9 riders each) and some of the main protagonists:

Ag2r La Mondiale: Pozzovivo (ITA), Betancur (COL)
Androni Giocattoli - Venezuela: Pellizotti (ITA), Sella (ITA)
Astana Pro Team: Nibali (ITA), Aru (ITA)
Bardiani Valvole - Csf Inox: Modolo (ITA), Battaglin (ITA)
Blanco Pro Cycling Team: Gesink (NED), Kruijswijk (NED)
Bmc Racing Team: Evans (AUS), Phinney (USA)
Cannondale Pro Cycling: Basso (ITA), Viviani (ITA)
Colombia: Atapuma (COL), Duarte (COL)
Euskaltel Euskadi: Sanchez Samuel (ESP), Egoi Martinez (ESP)
FDJ: Bouhanni (FRA), Casar (FRA)
Garmin Sharp: Hesjedal (CAN), Millar (GBR)
Katusha: Paolini (ITA), Caruso (ITA)
Lampre – Merida: Scarponi (ITA), Serpa (COL)
Lotto Belisol: Bak (DEN), Hansen (AUS)
Movistar Team: Capecchi (ITA), Visconti (ITA)
Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team: Cavendish (GBR), Pauwels (BEL)
Orica Greenedge: Goss (AUS), Weening (AUS)
Radioshack Leopard: Kiserlovski (CRO), Popovich (UKR)
Sky Procycling: Wiggins (GBR), Uran (COL)
Team Argos – Shimano: Degenkolb (GER), JI Cheng (CHN)
Team Saxo – Tinkoff: Majka (POL), Boaro (ITA)
Vacansoleil - Dcm Pro Cycling Team: Marcato (ITA), Rujano (VEN)
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia: Garzelli (ITA), Rabottini (ITA)

A series of interviews and analysis from the contenders:







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