Egan Bernal and Pavel Sivakov have been announced as joint leaders for the British squad, with the pair of climbers set to be well supported in the mountains with Jonathan Castroviejo and Daniel Martinez part of Ineos' eight-rider squad.
Time trial world champion Filippo Ganna, and Salvatore Puccio, Jhonatan Narvaez, and Gianni Moscon have also been included in the team but last year's winner Tao Geoghegan Hart is not part of the squad with the British rider heading to the Tour de France later this summer.
Both Bernal and Sivakov are expected to have strong bids for the overall win, though 2019 Tour de France champion Bernal has been battling a persistent back injury that saw him withdraw from the 2020 Tour mid race.
He has been in good form so far this season, with fourth overall at Tirreno-Adriatico and podium finishes at Tour de la Provence, Strade Bianche and Trofeo Laigueglia. However, he hasn't raced since March 16, instead opting to prepare for the race at home in Colombia.
Sivakov hasn't displayed his absolute best in early 2021 races, his inconsistent showing for sixth overall at the Tour of the Alps was highlighted by ride for second behind Simon Yates on the queen stage, but he fell off the pace later in the race. Nonetheless, the 23-year-old is held in high regard by his team and within the peloton and it wouldn't be a big surprise to see him right around the fight for the leader's pink jersey.
“Obviously, Egan will be the number one," said Sivakov in an interview with Cyclingnews. "That’s without a doubt. He won the Tour de France and many more wins than me. I know he’s number one but if I can show progression then it’s good for the team to have someone else to rely on.
"The racing in the Giro is more open, so having two guys is also helpful. If there’s a day when I have to sacrifice my chances for him to win the race then I’ll do it, without doubt, but there might also be some opportunities. It’s cycling and anything can happen.”
Team INEOS Grenadiers list:
Egan Bernal
Jonathan Castroviejo
Filippo Ganna
Daniel Martínez
Gianni Moscon
Jhonatan Narváez
Salvatore Puccio
Pavel Sivakov
