Cycling: Team Sky reveal Giro d'Italia squad

Ben Swift and Peter Kennaugh will be the only British riders in Team Sky's Giro d'Italia squad this year after Sir Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome were left out of their nine-man squad. Froome will be preparing for the Tour de France in July as he attempts to defend his tile while Wiggins will be taking part in the Tour of California. The first two stages will take place in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland, starting on May 9th in Belfast. The race then moves to Italy for the remaining 19 stages and will end in Trieste on June 1st. Sprinter Mark Cavendish will also miss the Giro as he will ride instead in the tours of Turkey, California and Switzerland ahead of the Tour de France. Team Sky 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.” Team Sky squad for the 2014 Giro d'Italia will have Italian Dario Cataldo as leader but the pecking order might change depending on results. The team also includes Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor), Philip Deignan (Ire), Bernhard Eisel (Aut), Sebastian Henao (Col), Pete Kennaugh (GB), Salvatore Puccio (Ita), Kanstantsin Siutsou (Blr), Ben Swift (GB). Here are the outright odds for the race at Bet365: Nairo Quintana - 10/11 Joaquim Rodriguez - 9/4 Cadel Evans - 10/1 Rigoberto Uran - 16/1 Michele Scarponi - 22/1