Earlier today Team Garmin-Sharp announced its much-anticipated 2013 roster for the Giro d’Italia. The squad, as expected, is headlined by and built around defending champion Ryder Hesjedal, who is looking forward to defending his Grand Tour win from last year.

“Winning the Giro d’Italia in 2012 was a dream come true and it will be a true honour to pin on the Number 1 bib on Saturday,” said Hesjedal. “My season has been built around the Giro again this year with the goal of defending my title and the whole team is coming into it very focused and extremely motivated. I want to do my best to honour the race, to honour the Number 1 bib, and take it from there, day by day. I know we have a great team to be able to do that, and we will work hard, every day, with our goal in mind.”

Headlined by Hesjedal, the squad includes Peter Stetina, who finished 22nd overall at the 2012 edition and will again support Hesjedal in the high mountains along with Christian Vande Velde and Tom Danielson, both Tour de France top 10 finishers. Ramunas Navardauskas returns after wearing the Maglia Rosa in 2012 after the squad stormed to victory in the Team Time Trial. He has had a strong start to 2013, recently winning Stage 2 at the Tour of Romandie. Grand Tour veteran David Millar, stage winner at the 2012 Tour de France, will feature in the time trials and will provide support both in the mountains and on the flats.

The squad is rounded out by Robbie Hunter, Thomas Dekker, and young Austrialian Nathan Haas who will make his Grand Tour debut at the Giro.