Mark Cavendish has targeted victory in stage one of the Giro d'Italia on Saturday.

The Omega Pharma Quick-Step rider has twice held the maglia rose - in 2009 and 2011 - but said that his ultimate goal will be the sprinter's red jersey.

"For sure, it would be a dream to take the pink jersey in the first stage," Sky Sports News quotes Cavendish as saying. "I have won the pink Jersey twice before in my career. I would love to do it again here in Napoli.

"My goal is to win at least a stage. Hopefully a jersey comes from that. I have to rely on winning stages to get jerseys. I'm not really feeling a lot of pressure as I have got a strong team with me.

"There are not too many opportunities after the first stage on Saturday, maybe two or three for the sprinters, so we will see how it goes. I will say that without a doubt, we can do a good job here at the Giro."

Cavendish won the sprinter's jersey at the Vuelta a Espana in 2010 and at the Tour de France in 2011.