Tom Pidcock will lead the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team at the Giro d'Italia Grand Start. Joining him will be Xabier Mikel Azparren (ESP), Nick Zukowsky (CAN), Matteo Moschetti (ITA), Damien Howson (AUS), Mark Donovan (GBR), Milan Vader (NED) and Emīls Liepiņš (LAT). The sports directors are Gabriele Missaglia, Daniele Nieri, Kurt Bogaerts and Jens Zemke.

"This is our first Grand Tour and it's truly something special," says general manager Doug Ryder. "Our Italian sponsor Q36.5 has an extreme vision of cycling apparel's future. Being able to represent this brand in the biggest Italian race is a privilege. We have prepared for this race at our best, with maximum attention, so that our eight riders can give their all, supported by a dedicated team working together with great unity. I am incredibly proud to see this team united in the fight for results".

The team leader, Tom Pidcock, wants to continue the good form obtained in the Ardennes Classics. "This is my first Giro d'Italia and I'm excited. Racing in Italy is always special and I have many beautiful memories linked to these races. It's a fantastic opportunity for us as a team, and we have the responsibility to prove we deserve it. I believe the entire team has the mission to demonstrate that we are a professional Q36.5 cycling team."

He continues: "Personally, I arrive with great ambitions and, with the form I've gained in the Ardennes, I know my legs will be in good shape. Of course, there are many opportunities, but we'll plan carefully and choose the right moments".

Sports director Gabriele Missaglia explains how for him, the Giro d'Italia has 21 opportunities to achieve a good result: "We are proud to be racing. My last Giro d'Italia was in 2021 with Team Qhubeka, and we won three stages. Our ambition this year is not to start with a single objective like the general classification. We'll look at the race day by day. We hope to win stages with Tom or Matteo. For Moschetti, there are five or six sprint opportunities. For Tom, who is our captain, this is a perfect route with various opportunities for his type of rider. This year's Giro d'Italia is an open race, so all our riders will have opportunities in case of a breakaway".

Interestingly, the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team has published the list of all selected riders for the pink race, and we find it interesting to present it to clarify how a team moves in a grand tour.

Riders: Tom Pidcock, Xabier Mikel Azparren, Nick Zukowsky, Matteo Moschetti, Damien Howson, Mark Donovan, Milan Vader and Emīls Liepiņš.

Sports Directors: Gabriele Missaglia, Daniele Nieri, Kurt Bogaerts and Jens Zemke.

Mechanics: Luca Catabiani, Edgar Coso Ferrer, Andrei Kunitski, Joaquin Sobrino and Jurgen Landrie

Masseurs: Xenia De Roose, Ton de Vaan, Gunther Landrie, Leonardo Moggio, Albert Poblet and Marco Morais

Communications Staff: Karselle Moodley and Adam Nunn

Technical Staff: Carles Tur

Medical Staff: Madlaine Müller, Christian Wegmann and Caroline Heinen-Vees

Nutritionists and Chefs: Peter Neirinckx, Adam Pluscinský and Mateusz Gawelczyk

Bus Driver: Michał Giemza