Caleb Yuan will be perhaps the fastest man on the start line on Friday in this year's Giro d'Italia sprinter field.

The Australian won twice in Italy last year and leads Lotto Soudal in this year's race, which kicks off over three days in Hungary, in addition to his three previous stage wins in 2017 and 2019.

There are three sprint opportunities (Balatonfüred, Messina, Scalea) in the first week, with an uphill finish awaiting on stage 1, Visegrád.

"The goal is always to win as many stages as possible, and that's my goal too. In the end I think that's enough," Yuan said.

"I think I'm in really good shape, but I don't know if it's the best of my career. I think I'm one of the fastest, but in the end that doesn't mean much. Still, I have to beat the guys that are here.

"When the race starts, if I am the best sprinter and I only win one stage, I will probably be disappointed. If I'm not the best sprinter and I only win one stage, I'll probably be happy. It all depends on how I do against my rivals.

Ewan could not name a single major rival in the Giro's sprint pack, instead pointing out that many of the fast men taking on this race have made winning starts to the season. He did, however, point out that once the Grand Tour season begins, everyone steps up a gear.

"There seem to be a lot of good riders. It's hard to pick a clear best. A lot of sprinters are off to a very good start early in the season, and once we get into the GT season we'll see how everyone steps up." [Cavendish, DeMare, Gaviria, Nizzolo ...... There are a lot of good sprinters that we missed. As always, winning a stage is never easy.

With three flat finishes awaiting in the first week of racing, there are several opportunities for Euan to add to his Giro Palma. However, the first stage will be a challenge for all but the most punchy sprinters.

"A podium finish in Milan-San Remo and a UAE Tour win in Hatta Dam prove that, but Friday's 5.5km, 4.2% finish may be a bridge too far.

"It's not a great opportunity," he said. 'But it's still going to be pretty hard to win. But it's still going to be pretty hard to win. It's easy.

"The first stage is a day without many pure sprinters, so a rider like Van der Pol can get maximum points. I think it's definitely possible for him to go for the sprint jersey."

"A lot of the sprints in the Giro are quite difficult. I don't think pure sprinters have much of a chance. A rider like him, who is fast and good at climbing, has a pretty good chance."

Yuan himself is not aiming for Maria Ciclamino. Last year he retired from the race after eight days due to knee pain, but with stage 18 in Treviso coming up in the final week, he hopes to ride longer this time, even if he cannot ride flat to the finish in Verona.

"I probably won't go the last week," he said. It's really hard and I think the last week of GT is when you really go into reserve. I'll probably stop before then."

"There is no set stage. I always watch my physical condition, and if I feel I am really suffering, I stop. I hope to stay longer than last year."

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