Last Friday it was revealed that Movistar will line up Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde as joint leaders for the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana. This has opened the Giro d'Italia doors for Beñat Intxausti, Ion Izaguirre and Jesus Herrada.

Intxausti and Izaguirre have had their best professional memories in the Giro. The former beat won a stage in Ivrea, was the leader for one day and finished eighth in 2013 while the latter won a stage in Falzes in 2012.

For both, they now have a unique chance to shine.

"In reality, the two best in the world are on my team and it is very difficult to have opportunities in a such a team," Intxausti told ETB.

After a mixed 2014 (with a 3rd place Poland, a 6th place in Romandie and a return to the Tour), he hopes back on the last year's track.

"We decided to go for the same, the origins, to repeat or improve what I did in 2013," he said. He also thinks about July. "We have a very strong leader (Quintana) to win the Tour de France and maybe I will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," said the Basque climber who will start his fifth season at Movistar.

For Izagirre, 2015 will be his second year in the blue jersey after a good season (with a win in the Spanish road race championships, 2nd place in the Spanish TT championships, 2nd place in Poland, a 4th place in Andalucia, a 6th place in Britain, an 8th place in Romandie, a 19th place in Paris-Nice and a participation in the Tour

"I will have more freedom and responsibility," he said. "(The Giro) is a race that has a special flavor because two years ago I won a stage."

Furthermore, he is targeting one-week stage races and also aims to "have some responsibility in these races."