Team Sky’s target for the Giro d’Italia is stage wins, and when it comes to the sprint stages Ben Swift is their form man. The Yorkshireman, third at Milan-San Remo before recording a stunning stage victory in the Basque Country, Swift has already topped the points classification at the Coppi e Bartali and was the only sprinter inside the top ten in the category at Pais Vasco – finishing third.
His form in the Basque Country and at Pais Vasco proved he can handle the moderate climbs when needed, so with the right support he will feature at the sharp end of a lot of stages – consistency which will stand him in good stead to challenge for the maglia rosso. What could hold him back however, is the team’s direction. Edvald Boasson Hagen could also challenge for stage wins while Philip Deignan has expressed his desire to compete for victories in the latter half of the race.
