While most of the cycling world's attention is focused on the Tour de France with the Grand Départ in Mont-Saint-Michel this weekend, the biggest stage race on the elite women’s calendar, the Giro d'Italia Internazionale Femminile will get underway this Friday. Contested over ten stages starting with a prologue, followed by nine road stages, including an individual time trial, this year’s race covers 856km. The course features plenty of opportunities for the sprinters, climbers and attacking opportunist and Team Liv-Plantur will challenge on all fronts.

Coach Hans Timmermans (NED) said looking ahead to the race: "This year's 27th edition is very tough with a lot of climbing added to the course. We have one main goal and that is to go for stage results. The general classification is not a specific focus for us.

"For Leah it will be the first big stage race at the Giro Rosa so it will be a great experience for her. She is in good form at the moment after taking the bronze medal at the Canadian Road Race. The plan will be to set Leah up for the sprint finishes when the race comes back together and we have a reliable team supporting her capable of getting her in the best possible position in the finale. On top of that we have strong options, for example with Carlee and Rozanne who are good climbers and can join a break during the mountain stages and aim for a stage success."