Fuji place faith in Swedish star Kessiakoff

Swedish cycling revelation Fredrik Kessiakoff has been named in the Fuji team for the Giro d'Italia, which begins in Venice on Saturday.

Kessiakoff, who will celebrate his 29th birthday during the race, has enjoyed a superb start to the season, taking fourth place in the mountain stage and ninth place overall in last week's Tour de Romandie.

The Giro d'Italia will be his first experience of one of cycling's grand tours.

Fuji evolved from the Saunier Duval team, who pulled out of last year's Tour de France after their leader Riccardo Ricco was caught up in a doping scandal and who have been barred from competing in this year's Tour de France.

Fuji team for the Giro d'Italia:

Fredrik Kessiakoff (SWE), Eros Capecchi (ITA), Ricardo Serrano (ESP), Iker Camano (ESP), Jesus del Nero (ESP), Angel Litu Gomez (ESP), Alberto Fernandez de la Puebla (ESP), Hector Gonzalez (ESP), Davide Vigano (ITA). Reserve: Josep Jufre (ESP)