On Air Manx Radio Update Dave Moore | 5:30pm - 6:00pm

Cav and Kennaugh in first grand tour

Manx cyclists Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh line up today (Saturday) at the start of the 2011 Giro d'Italia, the first of the three grand tours of the season.

The first of 21 stages is a 19.3km team time trial around Turin.

Cav's Team HTC Highroad won the opener in 2009 and, as he crossed the line first, he took the leaders' Pink jersey.

This time, he will have the whole team riding for him over the five or so stages in the opening twelve which are expected to end in bunch sprints.

The support includes lead-out man Mark Renshaw.

The 'Manx Missile' has notched up five career stage wins at the Giro.

Meanwhile, It's Kennaugh's debut in the race and his main focus will be to ride for Team Sky general classification contender Thomas Lovkvist.

The event, which also goes through Austria, ends on May 29.

More from Isle of Man Sport