The pair have both enjoyed previous success in the race, with Movistar rider Quintana having won the general classification in 2014.

Nibali won the race in 2013 and 2016 but acknowledged he faces stiff competition if he is to triumph for the second consecutive year.

"I’m looking forward to starting the 100th edition of the Giro d’Italia," the 32-year-old Bahrain-Merida rider said at the pre-race press conference.

"My expectations are public knowledge: I want to make the final podium.

"It’s not easy to be on the highest step of the podium, so if it’s not possible to win the Giro again, I’ll fight for second or third place to honour the race.

"We’ve worked as a team to be here in the best condition possible.

"I have a lot of respect for my adversaries."

France’s Thibaut Pinot will also hope to provide a threat on his first appearance at the Grand Tour event.

Pinot, third at the 2014 Tour de France, will lead the FDJ team during the three-week race.

Team Sky’s challenge is expected to be led by Britain’s Geraint Thomas and Spain’s Mikel Landa, while the United States’ Tejay van Garderen and Australia’s Rohan Dennis will carry BMC Racing’s general classification hopes.

Orica-Scott have built their team around supporting Britain’s Adam Yates in the overall standings, as well as seeking to provide Australia’s Caleb Ewan with the opportunity to gain stage victories in the sprints.

The opening three stages set to take place in Sardinia, which has only welcomed the races on three previous occasions.

Proceedings are set to begin with a 206 kilometre route from Alghero to Olbia tomorrow.

A 180km route from Cefalù to Mount Etna is then expected to ignite the battle for the general classification on stage four.

The stage in Sicily is one of four mountain top finishes included on this year's course.

Former champions and places which have shaped the history of the Giro d’Italia are being celebrated in the 100th edition of the race.

Three-time winner Gino Bartali will be honoured when the race visits his birthplace on stage 11 in Ponte a Ema.

His great rival and five-time champion Fausto Coppi’s contribution to the race will be marked when stage 14 visits Castellania.

The 131km stage will also mark the performance of the Marco Pantani in 1999, when as the defending champion he suffered a flat tire at the bottom of the climb but ultimately caught and passed his rivals.

Organisers have opted to include six sprint stages in the 2017 edition of the race, the latest coming on stage 13 in Tortona.

Two individual time trials have also been included, with the first coming on stage 10 between Foligno and Montefalco.

A 28km effort against the clock will also round off the race on May 28, beginning at the famous Monza racetrack and ending in Milan.

The Giro d’Italia features on the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour and is the first Grand Tour of the season, followed by the Tour de France and Vuelta a España.

On the eve of the race, the UCI confirmed Italian riders Nicola Ruffoni and Stefano Pirazzi have been notified of failed tests for GH-releasing peptides in samples collected in the scope of out-of-competition controls on April 25 and 26 respectively.

"The riders have the right to request and attend the analysis of the B sample. 

"In accordance with UCI Anti-Doping Rules, the riders have been provisionally suspended until the adjudication of the respective affair.

"These constitute the first and second AAFs for members of the UCI Professional Continental Team Bardiani CSF within a twelve-month period. 

"Therefore, article 7.12.1 of the UCI Anti-Doping Rules providing for the suspension of the team from 15 days to 45 days will be applied.

"The UCI will refer the matter to the Disciplinary Commission which will render a decision against the team in due course."

The Bardiani team are a wildcard entry in the race, but the team could face suspension at any time.

Currently, they appear set to start the race with seven riders.

The team management have vowed to immediately throw out both the riders from the Giro d’Italia squad and to suspend from all the activity of the team, according to UCI regulations.

"In case the “B” samples will confirm the violation, the team will immediately proceed with layoff, as provided for by internal regulations, signed by each riders at the beginning of the season, and will act to protect its image and their sponsors," a team statement read.

“We’re absolutely astounded by the news," said Bruno and Roberto Reverberi, manager of the team.

We will wait the results of further analysis and we will reaffirm with determination the intention to protect the values of our sport project”.

The UCI Women’s WorldTour is also set to resume tomorrow, with the three-day Tour of Chongming Island beginning in China.

Racing will begin with a 118km stage in Chongming Xin Cheng Park.

Australia’s Chloe Hosking is the defending champion and will be seeking a third win at the race, having also prevailed in 2009.

The sprinter will be leading the Alé Cipollini Galassia team’s efforts in China.