Team Sky's line-up for the 2014 Giro d'Italia, which starts in Belfast and Dublin next month, will include Irish rider Philip Deignan in his first Grand Tour for the team.

The nine-strong team for the first Grand Tour of the season will also feature Italian riders Dario Cataldo and Salvatore Puccio alongside Pete Kennaugh, Ben Swift, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Bernhard Eisel, Sebastian Henao and Kanstantsin Siutsou.

This year's Giro d'Italia starts with three stages outside Italy, taking in Northern Ireland and Ireland. Starting with a time trial in Belfast on Friday 9 May the race will move on to Italy from Tuesday 13 May with the last of the 21 stages in Trieste on Sunday 1 June.

On confirming the team line-up Team Principal, Sir Dave Brailsford, said:

“The Giro d’Italia is a fantastic race and this year provides a great opportunity for the team to go out and really express themselves on the bike. We’ve brought together an exciting squad and we can’t wait, not only for the start in Northern Ireland, but to perform in front of our Italian fans.”

Irishman Philip Deignan, added: “As soon as I heard that the Giro d’Italia was starting in Northern Ireland it was a goal of mine to be there, and racing there with Team Sky is a real honour for me. We’re going with a good balance of youth and experience; we’re all looking forward to it. Growing up in County Donegal I never dreamt of riding a Grand Tour here in Ireland and this is my chance. I’m going to relish every minute of it racing in front of my friends and family.”

Team Sky’s Dario Cataldo said: “This will be my seventh appearance in the Giro d’Italia, so it is a race that has a place in my heart. The race has a great history in Italy and when I was growing up it was always a dream to ride in my home country. Without a doubt it was the race that inspired me to start riding a bike as a young boy, so for an Italian bike rider this is as good as it gets. We have a strong and exciting team going into the race and we’re all looking forward to the challenge ahead. For me, going home to race is always a pleasure and I can’t wait to get started."

Team Sky roster for the Giro d’Italia consists of:

Dario Cataldo, Salvatore Puccio, Peter Kennaugh, Ben Swift, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Bernhard Eisel, Sebastian Henao, Philip Deignan and Kanstantsin Siutsou.