May 02, 2013 – Team Garmin-Sharp, winners of the 2012 Giro d’Italia, today announced its much-anticipated 2013 roster for the grand tour, which begins on May 4. The squad is headlined by, and built around, defending champion Ryder Hesjedal.

“Winning the Giro d’Italia in 2012 was a dream come true and it will be a true honor to pin on the Number 1 bib on Saturday,” said Hesjedal. “My season has been built around the Giro again this year with the goal of defending my title and the whole team is coming into it very focused and extremely motivated. I want to do my best to honor the race, to honor the Number 1 bib, and take it from there, day by day. I know we have a great team to be able to do that, and we
will work hard, every day, with our goal in mind.”

Headlined by Hesjedal, the squad includes Peter Stetina, who finished 22nd overall at the 2012 edition and will again support Hesjedal in the high mountains along with Christian Vande Velde and Tom Danielson, both Tour de France top 10 finishers. Ramunas Navardauskas returns after wearing the Maglia Rosa in 2012 after the squad stormed to victory in the Team Time Trial. He has had a strong start to 2013, recently winning Stage 2 at the Tour of Romandie. Grand Tour veteran
David Millar, stage winner at the 2012 Tour de France, will feature in the time trials and will provide support both in the mountains and on the flats. The squad is rounded out by Robbie Hunter, Thomas Dekker, and young Australian Nathan Haas who will make his Grand Tour debut at the Giro.

Team Garmin-Sharp 2013 Giro d’Italia Roster
– Christian Vande Velde
– David Millar
– Nathan Haas
– Peter Stetina
– Ramunas Navardauskas
– Robbie Hunter
– Ryder Hesjedal
– Thomas Dekker
– Tom Danielson

“Our team is built around our leader and defending champion, Ryder, and our goal is to do our best race and defend his title,” said Director Charly Wegelius. “We have put together a strong and well-balanced roster, with a focus on climbers to support Ryder in the mountains. The team is very motivated for what we know will be a grueling but beautiful race and we look forward to Saturday’s start.”

“This is a great mix of riders with a lot of depth and talent,” added Jonathan Vaughters, CEO, Slipstream Sports. “Our focus is on defending Ryder’s title. We know there is a lot of hard racing ahead but the team will take it day by day and do our best race.”