Soudal Quick-Step announce Giro d'Italia team and an all new jersey

Soudal Quick-Step were among the last teams to announce their Giro d'Italia squad on Wednesday. The Belgian team are counting on Paul Magnier in the sprint stages and have assembled a capable lead-out train around the talented Frenchman, including Jasper Stuyven. Filippo Zana, meanwhile, will target a strong classification result.

Do not look for Soudal Quick-Step's familiar blue kit in this year's race. The Belgian team are racing in a special one-off jersey to mark the 150th anniversary of clothing sponsor Castelli. The design is cream-white with scorpion details — the iconic logo of the Italian brand.

In that cream-white, the team will primarily be hunting stage wins. The focus falls on Magnier, who serves as their designated sprinter. The spring brought high expectations for the Frenchman, but a run of bad luck at the worst possible moments cost him dearly. He did manage to win twice at the Volta ao Algarve, however.

The French sprinter can count on a strong lead-out train, with Jasper Stuyven — who finished third at Paris-Roubaix earlier this year — among those supporting him. Fabio Van den Bossche, Dries Van Gestel and the talented Andrea Raccagni Noviero will also be tasked with positioning Magnier for the bunch sprints. Filippo Zana, fresh from tenth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, will target the general classification, with Ayco Bastiaens and Gianmarco Garofoli available to support him in the mountains.

Sports director Davide Bramati is confident in the squad's quality. "Paul has built a lot of confidence from his first Grand Tour last year. He will also have an experienced lead-out train around him. Filippo will go for the classification, but he will take it day by day. The other riders will also have their chances in hectic finales or from an early breakaway."