AUSTRALIA will unleash one of its strongest assaults on the Giro d'Italia tonight when a dozen of the nation's finest cyclists- tackle the first of the year's three grand tours. 
National champion Jack Bobridge (Trek-Segafredo) is expected to lead the charge in the race-opening 9.8km ind-ividual time trial in Appeldoorn, while Caleb Ewan (Orica-GreenEDGE) is expected to vie for sprint stages.
Ewan will be supported by OGE teammates Michael Hepburn and Damien Howson against some of the greatest sprinters in the world, including Germans Andre Greipel and Marcel Kittel.
Heinrich Haussler (IAM) will be backed by Victorians Leigh Howard and David Tanner in the battle of the fast men in the tour regarded as the "hardest race in the most beautiful place".
Jayco Herald Sun Tour winners Simon Clarke (Cannondale), who will ride for general classification contender Rigoberto Uran, and Nathan Haas (Dimension Data) have support roles.
Queenslander Jay McCarthy's (Tinkoff) climbing skills will be vital to Rafal Majka's overall aspirations, while Rory Sutherland (Movistar) will serve as one of the race favourite's Alejandro Valverde's lieutenants.
Another Queenslander Adam Hansen will continue his astonishing record-breaking spree with a 14th consecutive grand tour appearance.
The Lotto-Soudal workhorse, 34, has not missed a grand tour since the 2011 Tour of Spain.
Hansen last year broke Bernardo Ruiz's record for the most consecutive grand tours completed.
Orica's Esteban Chaves is one of several emerging riders expected to challenge race favourite Vincenzo Nibali (Astana). The Giro winner in 2013, the Italian has not contested the race since, preferring to focus on the Tour de France, which he won in 2014.READY TO ROLL The Australian entrants: Simon Clarke, Nathan Haas, Heinrich Haussler, Leigh Howard, David Tanner, Adam Hansen, Rory Sutherland, Caleb Ewan, Michael Hepburn, Damien Howson, Jay McCarthy, Jack Bobridge.