Joaquim Rodriguez has set his sights on his first ever grand tour win in the Giro d'Italia and he will be backed by a formidable Katusha team in his quest to finally win a three-week race. With Daniel Moreno and Giampaolo Caruso as his trusted lieutenants in the mountains, the 2012 runner-up can count on what seems to be one of the strongest teams of the race.

In the 2012 Giro d'Italia, Joaquim Rodriguez got agonizingly close to his first win in a grand tour when he lost the maglia rosa in the time trial on the final day of racing. Later that year he lost what seemed to be an almost guaranteed victory in the Vuelta a Espana when Alberto Contador put in a brave solo attack on a medium mountain stage to deny Rodriguez his moment of glory.

After making the list of grand tour podiums complete by taking third at last year's Tour de France where he was never in the running for th overall win, Rodriguez has again changed focus. When he lines up at the start of the 2014 Giro in Belfast on Friday, he will have only focus: the overall victory.

Rodriguez can count a very strong team to support him as Katusha has announced a roster that will make it one of the strongest teams in the mountains. Again Rodriguez will have his trusted lieutenant Daniel Moreno at his side and the Spaniard has repeatedly proved that he is himself capable of finishing in the top 10 in grand tours as well as winning stages.

Giampaolo Caruso will be another formidable weapon after the Italian climber showed excellent condition by almost winning Liege-Bastogne-Liege. Alberto Losada and Eduard Vorganov will provide further strength on the climbs while the always reliable Vladimir Gusev and Angel Vicioso will be on hand to offer support in the medium mountains.

Luca Paolini's vast experience will be a valuable asset as the veteran returns to his home grand tour after making a very successful belated debut 12 months ago. The team is completed by Russian strongman Maxim Belkov who - like Paolini - won a stage in last year's edition of the race.

The race kicks off on Friday with a 21.7km team time trial in Belfast.

Katusha for the Giro d'Italia:

Joaquim Rodriguez, Daniel Moreno, Giampaolo Caruso, Alberto Losada, Eduard Vorganov, Angel Vicioso, Vladimir Gusev, Luca Paolini and Maxim Belkov