No Sky leader gives Swift Giro chance

Ben Swift will be given the freedom to chase Giro d'Italia stage wins in the absence of an obvious contender for the overall victory in Team Sky's squad. Richie Porte had been expected to lead the nine-man team but pulled out to focus on the Tour de France in July. Swift, 26, who is the only British rider in the three-week race, which starts in Belfast on Friday, has never won a stage in a Grand Tour. "All nine riders will be given a chance to show their card," he told BBC Srt. Monte Zoncolan will be climbed for the fifth time in the Giro - the first was in 2003 - and features sections at a gradient of 22% "It's really hard but I have to go in with that goal to win at least one stage. My condition has been pretty good and all the form is there. I'm excited." Yorkshireman Swift followed a third-place finish at the Milan-San Remo one-day Classic in March with a stage win at the Tour of the Basque Country in April and will be joined by Irishman Philip Deignan when Sky line up for the team time trial that will open the Giro start in Belfast on Friday. "With the team that we've got there is no one solid option for the general classification." he added. "That doesn't come around all that often with Team Sky and it's come at one of the biggest races in the world so is a fantastic opportunity for everybody." The route The Giro d'Italia is famed for its stunning scenery and gruelling climbs, and this year's route is no different.