THREE Irish riders will compete in the Giro d’Italia, which begins in Belfast on 9 May.
Birmingham-born Irishman Dan Martin is in the Garmin-Sharp team, which is led by 2012 winner Ryder Hesjedal.
Martin’s cousin Nicolas Roche, the son of Irish cycling legend Stephen Roche, is the leader of the Tinkoff-Saxo team.
Donegal cyclist Philip Deignan completes the trio of Irish riders and has been named in Team Sky's provisional squad.
The former Olympian and Grand Tour stage winner will be joined on the team by Peter Kennaugh, Dario Cataldo, Kanstantsin Siutsou, Ben Swift and Edvald Boasson Hagen.
2013 champion Vicenzo Nibali will not be competing in this year’s Giro, instead choosing to focus on the Tour de France, therefore, last year’s runner-up Nairo Quintana will be one of the likely contenders to claim victory.
The Giro begins in Belfast on May 9 with a team time-trial, before a stage around the Antrim coastline, followed by a third stage from Armagh to Dublin’s Merrion Square.
The Giro concludes in Trieste on 1 June.
