Meanwhile, defending champion Gilberto Simoni, who tested positive for cocaine metabolites in April, was withdrawn from the race by his Saeco team.

BBC: Lunghi grabs Giro win

The Italian team had been due to compete before team leader Gilberto Simoni was handed a ban for testing non-negative for cocaine.

BBC: Saeco

Gilberto Simoni, rated by four-times winner Lance Armstrong as his biggest challenger, will ride in the Tour after Leblanc confirmed his Saeco-Longoni team as a starter.

BBC: Italian cyclist Mario Cipollini