OPINION: The Giro d'Italia typically creates as much fanfare in New Zealand as a sixth-grade cricket game with a ball that's been around longer than the 14-year old kid drafted in to face a bunch of past-it battlers.
But things couldn't be more different this year.
The upcoming Italian Grand Tour, the first of the season, has the potential to be one of the highlights of the year for Kiwi sports fans. For the first time in a long time, there's a New Zealander right in the general classification mix - one that is capable of winning stages, setting the race alight, and creating a big slice of history.
Nelson's George Bennett will spearhead Dutch team LottoNL-Jumbo as their leader. The 28-year old's been in impressive form despite a tumultuous season - battling a recurring side stitch problem, and miraculously recovering from a potentially life-threatening collision with a car.
Bennett has finished in the Top 10 of three consecutive World Tour races; ninth in the Tirreno-Adriatico, sixth in the Volta Catalunya and fifth in the Tour of the Alps, where he also managed two second place stage finishes.
He hasn't ridden the Italian Grand Tour since 2013, when he was still trying to make a name for himself in the sport - so you can't read anything into his lowly finish of 122nd.
For the first time, Bennett's entering a Grand Tour as the number one man in his team. That means there's a chance he could become the first New Zealander to win an individual stage at the Giro, while he could also set a record for the highest finish at a Grand Tour - his 10th place at the Vuelta a Espana in 2016 is the current benchmark.
There are two key factors that are likely to impact his chances.
Firstly, his team is largely inexperienced. Despite spending hours together at altitude camps, this is their first time on the big stage riding for Bennett, in an incredibly skilled field. Much of the Kiwi's hopes will rest on how his team can guide him through the mountains.
He will have the services of the experienced Robert Gesink, who will help out on days when he's not in the break-away. Young Dutchman Koen Bouwman is a key player for him as well, after his impressive performance alongside Bennett in the Tour of the Alps.
Secondly, the condition of his body; Bennett's confident there's no hangover from the car incident, apart from a few bumps and bruises.
His side stitch may have an unfortunate role to play, however - especially if it flares up throughout the race. He's having more scans on it after the Giro, but if it rears its head at the wrong time, there could be trouble.
Bennett's not the only New Zealand set to play a big role in the race. Veteran Sam Bewley is part of the Australian team Mitchelton-Scott, who have two big players involved. The 30-year old's ridden the Giro twice before, and is one of the key domestiques for Colombian powerhouse Esteban Chaves, and Britain's Simon Yates.
Tom Scully's also been picked for his second Grand Tour and first Giro d'Italia, riding for Team EF Education First-Drapac p/b Cannondale. He's indicated he'll help out in the sprint stages for his team-mates, while he's also a chance of featuring in the break-aways.
While Paddy Bevin indicated earlier this year he was in the mix for the great Italian race, he hasn't been picked by his team, and is instead lining up in the Tour de Yorkshire.
Strangely, the Giro d'Italia gets underway in Jerusalem, with three stages in Israel. It's the first time a Grand Tour's started outside of Europe, with things kicking off with a technical 9.7-kilometre time trial.
Stage six provides the first taste of the mountains, complete with a summit finish. Stage 19 looms as the queen stage with the most climbing, including four mountain passes, and a dramatic climb up the Colle delle Finestre, with the last nine kilometres on gravel roads.
The field for this year's edition of the Giro is ridiculously stacked, with most of the sport's top riders donning the lycra.
Team Sky's Chris Froome and defending champion Tom Dumoulin are the clear favourites to win the pink jersey. There's no doubt Froome will be the most scrutinised rider throughout the three weeks, with the repercussions of his salbutamol case still to be decided.
The 32-year old's looking to become the third man to win three successive Grand Tours, after triumphing in the 2017 Tour and Vuelta a Espana.
Dumoulin is the reigning champion in the time-trial, and is coming into the race off the back of some solid form.
Both men are superb in the time-trial, and will look to get the edge over their rivals against the clock, as well as in the mountains.
Frenchman Thibaut Pinot's also in the mix after winning the Tour of the Alps, along with Miguel Angel Lopez, Fabio Aru, Domenico Pozzovivo, and the aforementioned Chaves and Yates.
Bennett's gunning for a Top 10 finish, which is definitely a possibility despite the strength of the field. His aggressive and fearless ability in the mountains means he also has a chance of winning a stage.
The Giro is unquestionably a must watch for cycling fans, especially as Bennett's not riding the Tour de France this year. This is the race to pull out the sleepless nights, the duvet and the coffee, and watch one of New Zealand's best go to work.
Henry Rounce is a Newshub sports reporter/producer
