Today Saxo-Tinkoff named its squad for the Giro d’Italia, with young Polish rider Rafal Majka the leader for the general classification in the absence of Alberto Contador.

Sports Director Lars Michaelsen believes that the 23-year-old’s performance at last year’s Vuelta a España – where he finished 32nd overall after riding in the service of Alberto Contador – is an indication of great things to come from the Polish rider.

“Even though he is still very young, we believe he is capable of finishing amongst the 10-15 best riders in the GC, if he hits his peak form, and he could also be a contender for the young rider's jersey,” Michaelsen said. “Rafal is very much looking forward to the last tough week of the race, and I really hope he will show his great potential in the mountains, like we saw it in last year's Vuelta.”

Whereas Rory Sutherland and Bruno Pires will have the task of providing support for Majka in the mountains, three-time Giro d’Italia stage winner Daniele Bennati will have the job to protect him on the flat. The Italian rider has had a disappointing season so far at Saxo-Tinkoff and Michaelsen said that he would use the corsa rosa to sharpen his condition for later in the year. “At his best Daniele is a proven winner in Grand Tour stages, but his primary goals this year are later in the season, so the most important thing for him is to keep building his form and help support Rafal on the windy and flat stages.”

Saxo-Tinkoff line-up for the Giro d’Italia:

Rory Sutherland, Mads Christensen, Matti Breschel, Karsten Kroon, Daniele Bennati, Manuele Boaro, Rafal Majka, Bruno Pires and Evgeny Petrov.