Team NetApp-Endura target Grand Tour appearance

NetApp-Endura, the Pro Continental Tour team with four British riders on their roster, have revealed talks to secure a Grand Tour invite this season are "proceeding well".

They also have one eye on the spring Classics, with the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad on February 23 being their first major one-day outing of the season. Denk added: "The first months of the year are important for laying the foundations for the rest of the season. "We were invited to all the races in January and February that we were hoping for. This represents a perfect start. "The current races will enable us to prepare optimally [for a Grand Tour]." There are three of four Giro wilcards left up for grabs after Italian team Androni Giocattoli claimed the first as a result of their strong performances last season. As well as NetApp-Endura, the other teams to have lodged applications are: Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox, Caja Rural, Colombia, Team Europcar, IAM Cycling, MTN - Qhubka, Team Novo Nordisk and Vini Fantini.