Giro d'Italia 2017: Orica-Scott opt for general classification and sprint strategy

Yates is only 24 and Ewan is just 22 but both have already proven their ability at WorldTour level and Giro d’Italia 2017 live Stream have selected riders of experience to back them. Completing the Orica-Scott line-up for the Giro d'Italia are Alexander Edmondson, Michael Hepburn, Chris Juul-Jensen, Luka Mezgec, Ruben Plaza, Svein Tuft and Carlos Verona.

Event: Giro d’Italia 2017

Date: 5 May- 28 May ,2017

Official Live/BroadCasting : Giro d’Italia 2017

Both Adam and Simon Yates were scheduled to ride the Giro d'Italia but Esteban Chaves' knee problem and delayed start to the season have lead to a change in strategy, with Simon now focused on the Tour de France alongside the Colombian.

Adam won the Tour de France's best young rider white jersey and fought hard to finish fourth overall. Those skills will serve him well in this year's Giro d'Italia as he fights for the pink jersey and also the best young rider's classification.

The 22-year-old Ewan confirmed his WorldTour and Grand Tour sprints credentials in 2016 and went close to taking a stage at the Giro d'Italia. He stuttered on his return to Europe in March following his hugely successful Australia summer but two second places at the Tour de Yorkshire indicated he is ready for the Giro d'Italia, where his biggest rivals for the pure power sprints will be Andre Greipel (Lotto Soudal), Fernando Gaviria (Quick-Step Floors) and Sam Bennett (Bora-hansgrohe).

"We will mix our focus between Adam in the mountains and Caleb on the flat stages," Orica-Scott directeur sportif Matt White said in a statement confirming the nine riders who will travel to Sardinia on Tuesday."It's a tricky mix, but we aren't the only people doing it and I am confident with the group we have we can chase both goals with success. We will certainly have something to concentrate on every day for the next three weeks."White is keen to start the Giro d'Italia as underdogs, passing responsibility for controlling the race to likes of Vincenzo Nibali (Bahrain-Merida) and Nairo Quintana (Movistar).

"We certainly don’t go in as the favourites for the general classification. Even though we've had a couple of big names pull out, it's still the best field ever assembled. It's easier to list who's not at the Giro than who is, so it's an all-star cast," White said. "It will be Adam's first Giro d'Italia and it continues his learning process which means we can approach it in a different mind set. I think winning the white jersey and a top-10 finish are very achievable goals for him to have.

"Carlos (Verona) is going to be crucial and Ruben (Plaza) has recovered from surgery in the off season to be there to offer guidance and experience. He was very reliable with Esteban last year, so we would expect to see the same again."

Supporting Ewan in the sprints will be fellow young Australian Alexander Edmondson, Michael Hepburn, veteran Svein Tuft and trusted lead out man Luka Mezgec.

"Alex and Luka Mezgec are there specifically for the finals with Caleb and then we have versatility of Michael Hepburn and Chris Juul-Jensen and strength and power of Svein Tuft to work across both ambitions," White explained.

"This is Alex's first full year will a 100 per cent road focus and we have been really impressed with his commitment and performances so quickly. He is someone we believe in and know he is ready to step up for his first Grand Tour.

"In Caleb's second Giro d’Italia 2017 we can really target winning a stage when the opportunities arise and that will start on stage one with the Maglia Rosa the bonus for the winner."

Orica-Scott for the Giro d'Italia: Adam Yates, Caleb Ewan, Alexander Edmondson, Michael Hepburn, Chris Juul-Jensen, Luka Mezgec, Ruben Plaza, Svein Tuft and Carlos VeronaZakarin made his debut at the Giro in 2015, winning a wet stage into Imola, after his breakout Tour de Romandie victory. He finished 44th that year and on his second attempt at the Corsa Rosa he was poised for a top-five result until he crashed out of the race on stage 19 to Risoul. He rebounded from that disappointment to win a stage on his Tour de France debut, forgoing GC aspirations.

While Zakarin is yet to claim a win in 2017, he has showed his continued progress as a GC rider with second place at Abu Dhabi Tour, sixth in Paris-Nice and then 15th at Tour de Romandie. The 27-year-old can count a team built around his aspirations at the Giro with the experienced duo of Robert Kišerlovski and Angel Vicioso likely to be key in the high mountains.

Having made his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a Espana last year, Matvey Mamykin makes his first appearance at the Giro d’Italia 2017 live and will also be on hand for Zakarin for when the roads head uphill. José Gonçalves and Alberto Losada are two further riders who will start the race as domestiques as Katusha-Alpecin goes into the race in support of Zakarin.