Twelve Italians will tomorrow in Monaco pin their numbers on their backs and face the opening time trial of the 81st Vuelta España. None of them are aiming for the general classification, some will hunt for stage wins, others will play key roles for their teams. Let's discover them together:

Gianni Moscon will be, just as he was at the Giro d'Italia with Hindley and Pellizzari, the great team leader in the race for Red Bull Bota Hansgrohe. And in Lidl Trek another experienced rider like Jacopo Mosca will play the same role.

In Pinarello Q36.5 there will be the grand tour debut of the twenty-five-year-old from Brescia Walter Calzoni who we will see committed to landing some breakaways. Who hopes to make a mark in the medium and high mountain stages is Francesco Busatto of Alpecin Premier Tech.

The most "Italian" team of all is Soudal Quick Step which fields three Italians at the start: sprinter Alberto Dainese and attackers Gianmarco Garofoli and Filippo Zana.

Who is seeking redemption for a season that so far has brought him mainly problems is Alessandro Covi who in Jayco AlUla colors will hunt for a stage victory.

Vincenzo Albanese for his part has been clear: "I'm here at the Vuelta to give all possible help to my captain Carapaz and to EF Education Easypost".

Hunting for a stage and the polka dot jersey for best climber will be Lorenzo Fortunato who in XdS Astana colors will be supported by Alessandro Romele, who will thus make his grand tour debut.

And a debutant, certainly the least young among those making their debut, is also Mattia Gaffuri, climber from Como born in 1999 who we will see committed to defending the colors of Picnic PostNL.