After his victory at this season's Vuelta a España, Lemko Evenepoel will target next May's Giro d'Italia, giving him the unusual option of selecting many of the Soudal Quickstep team that will support him in Italy.

The Belgian will be aiming for his second Grand Tour win in Italy, where he will face Primoš Roglic (Jumbo Visma), Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), and Alexandre Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe) with Sourdal-Quick-Step He leads.

Evenpoel will have a say in the selection of five of the seven teammates who will accompany him in the race, he revealed in an interview on the Belgian VTM channel.

"I decide three-quarters of the team. Two of the eight positions in the team will be decided by the team management and Patrick Lefebvre," Evenpole said.

"It's based on the individual programs throughout the season, and we also look at who fits best and who has the will and ability to go.

Evenepoel's victory in the Vuelta was his first in a Grand Tour, and he had the support of Rainbow Stripes' predecessor Julien Alaphilippe and climbers Ilan van Wilder and Fausto Masnada.

Alaphilippe is expected to target the Flanders Classics and the Tour de France. Masnada will likely be part of the support team again at the Giro. Van Wilder, who is 22 years old like Evenpoel, could also race, and the team signed Jan Hilt for the winter, with the Czech climber supporting Evenpoel.

James Knox told Cycling News last month that he is ready to support Evenpoel in future Grand Tours, and Belgian climber Mauri Vansevenin and Italian climbers Mattia Cattaneo and Andrea Bagioli are also Giro Giro.

With three time trials scheduled in May, Evenpoel is expected to challenge for the overall win. He will be looking for wins in time trials and mountain stages, as well as a podium finish.

"I want to win at least one stage, preferably one of the three time trials. I also want to win the mountain stages, so two stage wins. And I'm aiming for a top-three overall finish and a podium."

"The Giro is a completely different race from the Vuelta. Each mountain on the route has its own characteristics. You always have to be realistic and I think a podium finish in a Grand Tour is already a great achievement."