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Team Sky have named their nine-man Giro d'Italia line-up, with Sir Bradley Wiggins leading the team as expected.

The British-based outfit had said that the Giro would be the Tour de France champion's main target this season.

Wiggins said: "Alongside the Tour de France and Paris-Roubaix, the Giro d'Italia is one of the biggest races in the world and one I'd love to win.

"I've watched the Giro since I was a kid and have seen my idols win it, which makes it even more special."

Wiggins, seeking to become the first British rider to win the race, added: "It has always been a race that I've wanted to ride well in and I just can't wait to get started.

"I believe the Giro team this year is just as strong as the Tour de France team last year and the results prove that everyone is ready to go."

Team principal Sir Dave Brailsford said it had been well documented that the Giro is a "season goal" for Wiggins.

"With that in mind, we want to get the best performance possible and try to win the race," added Brailsford.

"We've got quality climbing support and some really big engines, too. There's also the team time trial to think about and we've got a very strong squad."

Italians Dario Cataldo and Salvatore Puccio, Colombians Sergio Henao and Rigoberto Uran, Germany's Christian Knees, American Danny Pate, Belarusian Kanstantsin Siutsou and Spaniard Xabier Zandio make up the rest of the team.

The Giro, which starts in Naples, is the first Grand Tour of the season, running from 4-26 May. Canada's Ryder Hesjedal is the defending champion.

Wiggins, who last year became the first Briton to win the Tour de France, will support team-mate Chris Froome in this year's Tour.