The Giro d'Italia - the Tour of Italy - usually known simply as the Giro, is second only to the Tour de France in the hierarchy of cycling's road stage races.

The 2008 line-up, which includes the winners of the 2007 Giro, Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana, and the Olympic and World Champion, is stronger than the current 2008 Tour de France start-list.

When all the signs had suggested another home win, after Danilo Di Luca dominated the 2007 race in the mountain stages, the late inclusion of the Astana team has upset the applecart.

Two-time Giro winner Gilberto Simoni (Diquigiovanni-Androni) and brash youngster Riccardo Ricco were names filling many fans' top tips.

But much attention has now switched to the Kazakh outfit, which boasts a trio of riders, any of whom could reasonably be expected to be in pink in Milan on 1 June: the 2007 Tour de France winner, Spaniard Alberto Contador, German Andreas Kloden and USA's Levi Leipheimer.

The British contingent sees Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish (High Road) and Geraint Thomas and Steve Cummings (Barloworld) all primarily using the Giro as endurance preparation ahead of the track cycling events at the Beijing Olympics.

Cavendish should, however, be a strong contender for a sprint win in one of the flat stages, while Wiggins will be hoping to place highly in the time trials.

And David Millar (Slipstream) should also feature in the time trials, particularly the opening event, for which his team have been specifically preparing.

Last but not least, Charlie Wegelius (Liquigas) will doubtless put in sterling work in support of his team leader, Italian Franco Pellizotti.

What's your prediction for the overall winner and how do you see the first week panning out?

Follow the Giro each day here on 606.