Chris Sutton says he is feeling in top form heading into the Giro d'Italia - and hopes that will enable him to play a key role throughout the three-week race.

Sutton was an integral part of the Team Sky squad which made such a splash in their debut event at the Tour Down Under in January - winning the final stage himself in Adelaide - and he is relishing the team's first appearance in a Grand Tour.

The Australian has been training in the hills around Girona with team-mate Michael Barry and has been delighted with how the last few weeks have panned out, telling us: "It's been going pretty good. I've had a really structured programme from Rod [Ellingworth] and though it hasn't been easy, I've really enjoyed it.

"I've just been learning how to go through the motions again because obviously with all the classics you really don't do any climbing, it's more strength and power work and a lot of it is done on the flat.

"Rod's a great coach and we talk almost every other day, but working with Michael has been great as he climbs so well. I've been trying to stay with him or just letting him climb ahead and sit behind him while keeping my cadence high."

And it sounds as if all the hard work is paying off, with Sutton adding: "I can't remember the last time I was climbing as well as I am now. I'm not a hill climber but I think I might be able to help Bradley a little bit on the climbs and hopefully he can help me get to the front for the sprints with Hendy [Greg Henderson]."

Sutton's primary role of course will be working in the sprints with Henderson, something which clicked so well at the start of the campaign.

"I'm there to help Greg and to position him well for the sprint stages," he confirmed. "Obviously we've got a good relationship going now. I know him pretty well and how he likes to be set up for a sprint. I'm still learning but I'll be doing the best I can - my job is to take Greg as close to the line as possible and hopefully try and get a win up."

Great shape

There's always the chance that Sutton could get the opportunity to go for a stage win himself if circumstances allow. He explained: "Everyone in the team is really honest with each other and if Greg's not having a great day then he's going to say it and the role will change and hopefully I'll have a crack."

And he can't wait for the race to get under way now, adding: "I know I've done all the work and everything is there, so it's just a matter of freshening up.

"2008 was my first Grand Tour at the Giro d'Italia. We won the opening time trial so that was pretty special to be part of something like that.

"But I'm a lot stronger now than I was back then. I believe I'm more prepared now than I have been for anything."

Sutton's appearance in 2008 came to an end after the individual time trial to Plan de Corones, which features again this year, and he is determined to learn from that experience.

He said: "I know I'm in better shape and better condition so I know I'm going to really give it a crack this year and make the time cuts. I've been working on my climbing so let's hope it pays off. It's going to be super-hard but I'm just going to take each day as it comes and hope I get through the three weeks."

And while Sutton is fully aware that the Giro moves the season up another level for Team Sky, he expects them to thrive, telling us: "We're a new team and this is our first Grand Tour so it will be interesting to see how it all goes.

"But from all the races that I've looked at and all the races I've been involved with I think it's going to be really good.

"Teams always talk about how close they are but this is the closest team that I've ever been in, with a group of riders and staff. I think that's something special."