PARIS, May 4, 2009 (AFP) – Britain’s Mark Cavendish was on Monday named at the head of American cycling team Columbia for the Giro d’Italia, which begins on Saturday.

The 23-year-old from the Isle of Man, who won two stages in last year’s race, will be supported by fellow sprint specialist Mark Renshaw of Australia.

Norway’s Edvald Boasson Hagen, who won last month’s Gand-Wevelgem, is also in the team, alongside Italy’s Marco Pinotti – who wore the pink jersey as race leader for four days during the 2007 Giro – and Sweden’s Thomas Lovkvist.

Columbia team for the Giro d’Italia:
Michael Barry (CAN), Edvald Boasson Hagen (NOR), Mark Cavendish (GBR), Thomas Lovkvist (SWE), Marco Pinotti (ITA), Morris Possoni (ITA), Mark Renshaw (AUS), Michael Rogers (AUS), Kanstantsin Siutsou (BLR)