Bahrain-Merida leader Vincenzo Nibali has said he hopes to defend his Giro d’Italia title in 2017. The Italian says the chance to win the 100th Giro is too good a chance to miss.

"It is the 100th edition of the Giro and I am the last winner, and there is also a stage in Messina, so it is important for my people. I want to go to the Giro d'Italia, but I don't have the programme yet. After Abu Dhabi, we have a training camp and I will speak with the manager for the new season," he said to Sky Sports.

Nibali says he is proud to be part of the Bahrain project and says that for now it is only a three year project, but he hopes things go well and the project can be extended.

"I am very proud to be in the Bahrain team. I want to be the chief protagonist of the team and it is a new adventure. I believe it will be a very good project. We work like a group - the trainer, the masseur, the doctor - like a family. I'm pleased to go with my family to a new team.”

"The project is three years. Maybe after we can continue, but it does not depend only on me. Hopefully we will do a good three years, and after we will see."