While the Giant-Shimano team with Marcel Kittel is expected to dominate sprint stages at the Giro d’Italia, the Dutch squad lines up at the Tour of California with a youthful roster, aiming to back their fast finisher Marcel Kittel as well as support the development of their young riders.

The Dutch team have chosen Tour of California to chase a stage victories with Degenkolb, coming back from a well-deserved break following his successful classics campaign, and groom their younger rider into a leadership role in the American event.

The Giant-Shimano roster for Californian event includes a mix of experienced riders and young guns lead by Roy Curvers, and consists of Lawson Craddock, Thomas Damuseau, John Degenkolb, Chad Haga, Reinhardt Janse Van Rensburg, Koen De Kort and Daan Olivier.

"We head out to California with two objectives for the team — to win a stage with John and also see how the younger guys can do in the GC," said Team Giant-Shimano coach Aike Visbeek, according to Cyclingnews. 

"Lawson, Chad and Daan will have the chance here to see what they can do and we will decide after the time trial and mountain stage who is our GC leader.”

"We want to not only focus on getting a result here, but also on the development of these young riders — both Chad and Lawson finished in the top 10 here last year but this year they are in a bigger team with more pressure and this is part of their development, dealing with this pressure," Visbeek said.

Following a highly successful spring, Degenkolb enjoyed a short break from competition and returned to action with promising yet personally very disappointing runner up spot claimed in Frankfurt last week.

"John is coming back from a break after his spring campaign and he showed in Frankfurt that he is already getting back up to speed so with the different opportunities ahead over the eight days we can hope to have a good race," Visbeek said.

Giant-Shimano for the 2014 Tour of California (2.HC): 

Lawson Craddock, Roy Curvers, Thomas Damuseau, John Degenkolb, Chad Haga, Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, Koen De Kort and Daan Olivier.