"I'm arriving on the Italian roads with a lot of expectations" - After breakthrough Spring Laurence Pithie ready for Grand Tour debut

After a breakthrough Spring Classics campaign, Groupama - FDJ's Laurence Pithie will be hoping to keep the impressive performances going as he makes his Grand Tour debut at the Giro d'Italia.

"Being at the start in Turin for three weeks of competition is a real opportunity, and discovering your first Grand Tour as leader is no mean feat," the 21-year-old New Zealander previews to the Groupama - FDJ team. "I'm arriving on the Italian roads with a lot of expectations, so we'll take one opportunity after another and give everything we've got, every day, to go for this stage win that unites us all."

Impressive showings from Pithie at stage races such as the Tour Down Under and Paris-Nice, plus in one-day races such as the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race, Le Samyn, Milano-Sanremo and Paris-Roubaix among others, Groupama - FDJ's sports director, Frédéric Guesdon understandably has full confidence in his man to bring success.

"With a strong, complementary team, we'll be supporting Laurence Pithie in his aim to win stages, whether flat or hilly," Guesdon explains. "Everyone will play an essential role around our sprinter to maximise our chances of winning, and I expect them to be dedicated to their leader. They're all very motivated to be at the start in Turin on Saturday."