The management group behind Team Omega Pharma-QuickStep earlier today revealed the team's line-up for the 2012 Giro d'Italia, which begins in Herning, Denmark on May 5. Three stages will take place in Denmark before the Giro caravan is transferred to Italy.

According to Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step sports director Davide Bramati the team will start this year's Giro with a balanced team, which can obtain valuable results in all types of terrain. However, Bramati stresses the importance of preserving energy for the tough mountain stages which the riders will struggle with in the final part of the Giro.

"It's a beautiful Giro during which it will be important to preserve our energy in a build up to an extremely challenging final in the major mountains. We'll be at the start with a young, motivated formation that can stand out on any type of terrain," Bramati told Roadcycling.com.

The team is putting all its sprint eggs in one basket hoping that Chicchi can live up to the high expectations.

"For the sprints we can count on what Chicchi will bring. Francesco has started the season well. A victory in the Giro would give him good confidence for the rest of the season and reward him for the great work he's been doing up to now."

The team hopes to see Dario Cataldo and Serge Pauwels prove themselves valuable in the team's quest for a fine finish in the Giro's general classification.

"Dario and Serge are two outstanding athletes who have already shined in the past on the roads of the Giro. Pauwels was a brilliant player in the race in 2009 and Cataldo stood out in the last editions, even coming close to a stage victory."

Marco Bandiera, Michal Golas, Nikolas Maes and Martin Velits will split their energy between protecting the team's two captains in all Giro stages and targeting stage victories by taking part in successful breakaway groups.

Omega Pharma-QuickStep additionally brings two Grand Tour newcomers to the Giro. Michal Kwiatkowski and Julien Vermote.

According to Bramati, "Michal will try to put his skills as a time trial man to good use right away in the brief Prologue that will open the race, while Julien will gain some important experience in support of his teammates in a significant investment in his future.

Team Omega Pharma-QuickStep Roster for the 2012 Giro d'Italia:
Dario Cataldo (ITA), Serge Pauwels (BEL), Francesco Chicchi (ITA), Martin Velits (SVK), Marco Bandiera (ITA), Nikolas Maes (BEL), Julien Vermote (BEL), Michal Golas (POL), and Michal Kwiatkowski (POL).

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