Team director Frans Maassen claims Belkin’s two leaders – Wilco Kelderman and Steven Kruijswijk – have ‘lived like monks’ in preparation for the Giro d’Italia.

Kelderman, third in the best young rider classification last year, has enjoyed a good start to the 2014 season and will bid for a top ten place alongside Kruijswijk while Jetse Bol will bid for sprint victories for the Dutch team.

With eight Dutch riders in their nine-man squad – David Tanner being the odd man out – Belkin are hopeful of another strong showing from their young team leader.

Maassen said: “They have been on a three-week altitude training camp in Tenerife and were able to prepare themselves in the best possible way, both physically and mentally.

“They have lived like monks and that’s perfect as the coming weeks are going to be hectic enough.”

He added: “We’d really like to win a stage. We will do our utmost to get in the right breakaways. It’s going to be a challenge.”

Only misfortune has prevented Kelderman from making an even stronger start to the 2014 season – an ill-timed puncture at Paris-Nice for example.

But he insists he is feeling good ahead of the Grande Partenza in Belfast.

He said: “We have trained long and hard during our altitude training camp in Tenerife.

“It was perfect. I felt good during the last training rides, which gives me confidence in the run-up to the Giro. I’m hoping for a top ten finish in the overall.”

Leader: Wilco Kelderman

The young Dutch rider has been in good form so far this season, producing strong showings at the Volta ao Algarve, Paris-Nice and Tour of the Basque Country as he grows into the role of team leader. Still only 23, Kelderman is targeting the top ten and as a result will be among the contenders for the white jersey – which he wore for two stages last year. A bit of luck – something which has deserted him at times this season – and the Dutchman could be on the brink of one of the biggest results of his career.

Jetse Bol: Set to lead the team’s charge for stage wins in the bunch sprints.
Rick Flens: Races his third career Giro on the back of testing his legs at the Tour of Turkey.
Marc Goos: The 23-year-old makes his Grand Tour debut having supported Bauke Mollema at Tirreno-Adriatico this year.
Martijn Keizer: A late signing by Belkin, Keizer races on the back of the Tour de Romandie, where he finished tenth in the prologue.
Steven Kruijswick: Joint leader of the team, the 26-year-old is more than just a plan B, with the top ten a big target.
David Tanner : The only non-Dutch rider in the team, the Australian has endured a stop-start campaign to date.
Maarten Tjallingii: Veteran Dutchman is riding just his third Giro d’Italia having been part of Robert Gesink’s support team in 2013.
Jos van Emden: Part of Kelderman’s support team at Paris-Nice, the 29-year-old last rode a Grand Tour at the 2011 Giro.