Jay McCarthy, Majka’s Australian team mate, has witnessed the Pole’s increasing form first hand and hopes to make the early breaks to be in position to lend his team leader a helping hand, as he did in the penultimate stage of last year's Vuelta a España where Majka secured his first grand tour podium finish.

"I think he is in serious shape and that he is very confident coming into the hillier stages," McCarthy (Tinkoff), told Cyclingnews when asked how Majka was doing on the eve of the crucial mountains.

"I think he can make a big difference in the steep climbs. He's at the level and with the confidence he has coming into this Giro I think we're going to see a lot more from Rafa."

Previously, Majka finished sixth overall in the Giro in 2014 and seventh in 2013 – on both occasions enjoying spells as the best young rider in the Italian grand tour.