Cummings won a Commonwealth gold in the team pursuit last year

Basso resigned from the team after the Italian authorities reopened hearings on the Operation Puerto doping scandal.

The Italian's fall from grace, however, has given Cummings a wonderful chance to prove himself on the big stage.

The Giro, pro cycling's second biggest race, starts with a team time-trial in Sardinia on Saturday.

The 26-year-old Cummings has enjoyed considerable success in the velodrome and has raced on the road with mid-sized Belgian outfit Landbouwkredit.

But riding in a Grand Tour for one of the sport's heavyweights is a huge step-up - not that you would guess from the Merseysider's relaxed manner.

"I was a bit of an unknown when I came here but I've concentrated on racing well - being consistent, just doing whatever they asked in the races," said Cummings when asked about his surprise promotion.

"It's gone well. I've just kept it simple and when they asked me to do something, I've done it to the best of my ability and raced hard."

The three-week Giro finishes in Milan on 3 June.