Cipollini (left) is set for a record-breaking month

Following three scandal-ridden years, the Giro d'Italia starts this weekend, hoping to avoid controversy.

Two of the race favourites, Gilberto Simoni and Stefano Garzelli, had to abandon the 2002 edition after failing doping tests while Marco Pantani has been facing doping suspensions and police investigations since 1999.

Going into its 86th edition, the Giro remains Italy's most popular and prestigious cycling race and unprecedented measures of control have been enforced.

The World Anti-Doping Agency, the International Cycling Union and a national authority will oversee doping tests and monitor the event.

And team doctors have signed an agreement under which a complete list of medicines to be administered to the cyclists will be delivered to race officials by the start of the opening stage.

My toughest rivals in the sprints will be Robbie McEwan and Alessandro Petacch, Mario Cipollini

Cyclists will be thus unable to hold their own medicines during the race.

"The war on doping has a long way to go but the protocol signed with doctors is a huge step forward," said race director Carmine Castellano.

Meanwhile 171 entries, of 19 teams, underwent blood tests on Thursday and all passed them, said organizers.

The 21-stage cycling marathon ends in Milan on 1 June and Saturday's first stage in Lecce sees Mario Cipollini attempting to equal a record of 41 stage wins.

Cipollini, the reigning world champion, said he was relying on a very strong team, the newly formed Domina Vacanze, to quickly tie the mark long held by Italian great Alfredo Binda and improve on it during the three-week competition.

"My toughest rivals in the sprints will be (Australian champion) Robbie McEwan and Alessandro Petacch," Cipollini said.

The winner of Saturday's opening stage will automatically wear the pink jersey of overall leader because of the time bonuses awarded to the top three finishers.

For the first time all entries will wear helmets following a decision to step-up safety measures for the cyclists.