What to expect this year

Italian team Lampre-Merida’s striking blue and fuscia kits made their debut on the WorldTour last season and Michele Scarponi’s fourth place at the Giro d’Italia and tenth at Liege-Bastogne-Liege ensured a respectable 14th in the overall team rankings for the Italians. This year however, much more is expected of them – not least because of the signing of world champion Rui Costa. Sealed before the Portuguese ace won in Florence, the transfer has proved to be a real coup as Costa looks to lead a team at a Grand Tour for the first time.

The rainbow stripes proved to be more a curse than a blessing for Belgian Philippe Gilbert last year, but Costa is determined not to endure the same frustrations with the Tour de France top of his wish list, alongside a third consecutive Tour de Suisse success. Costa’s two stage wins – and his victory in Florence – were emphatic and mark him as a genuine challenger to Chris Froome. Elsehwere in the squad, Pole Przemyslaw Niemiec proved what he is capable of with sixth at the Giro and will race the Italian Grand Tour as team leader this year, while sprinter Roberto Ferrari – a perpetual nearly man in 2013 – represents their biggest hope for sprint stage wins. Diego Ulissi, 24, finished the year well in a number of a lower-ranked one-day races including Milano-Torino, and will be keen to repeat such form on the WorldTour stage now too.

Who’s new for 2014?

Rui Costa (POR) from Movistar, Nelson Oliveira (POR) from RadioShack-Leopard, Rafael Valls (ESP) from Vacansoleil-DCM, Valerio Conti (ITA), Gang Xu (CHN) from Champion System, Sacha Modolo (ITA) from Bardiani Valvole-CSF Inox.

Who has left?

Michele Scarponi (ITA) to Astana, Adriano Malori (ITA) to Movistar, Matthew Lloyd (AUS) to Jelly Belly, Massimo Graziato (ITA) released, Simone Stortoni (ITA) released, Davide Vigano (ITA) released, Daniele Pietropolli (ITA) released.

Riders to watch

Rui Costa – World champion Rui Costa has his opportunity to lead a team at the Tour de France, and represents a serious GC contender.
Diego Ulissi – Success at a lower level to end 2013 showed he is capable in one-day races, could be the year to step up
Przemyslaw Niemiec – The Pole performed admirably as Michele Scarponi’s right-hand man in 2013, and steps up to team leader for the 2014 Giro.