Despite being without world champion Rui Costa, who is targeting the Tour de France, and Vuelta a Espana winner Chris Horner – who will be returning to Spain this year – Lampre-Merida will roll out in Belfast with a strong team on show. Przemyslaw Niemiec and Damiano Cunego could mount challenges for the overall prize, as could Diego Ulissi. Ulissi however also appears a contender for King of the Mountains.

The 24-year-old Italian has produced some good showings so far this season – a stage win and third overall at the Tour Down Under kicking off a season which has also brought an 11th place finish at Tirreno-Adriatico and GP Camaiore victory. Ulissi can climb as is also capable of stage wins – as he proved at the 2011 Giro d’Italia – and if he is afforded a licence to attack by his team, he is more than capable of challenging for the maglia azzurra.