The team announced the news in a smartly executed on-brand video.
In the video, a device is seen searching holiday package site Sunweb, the team's title sponsor, using the Giro's details in a booking for Tom Dumoulin. It closes with Dumoulin making the announcement at the team's training camp.
"After weeks of talking about it we finally decided. The main focus will be the Giro d'Italia in 2019," Dumoulin said.
"We had the Tour de France for a long time in our head. But the Giro d'Italia is such a nice course this year. I really love Italy, I love the course. I love the race."
While participation at the 2019 Tour de France isn't out of the question, it won't be the team or Dumoulin's main GC focus.
"It's very likely I will also do the Tour de France for GC just like last year but it's still a little bit undecided.
"We just see after the Giro what we do. But normally i would also go to the Tour de France but my main focus will be the Giro d'Italia."
After Team Sky's announcement that Sky is pulling its title sponsorship after 2019, and the subsequent likelihood Dave Brailsford will throw every mega resource at one last Tour de France victory while he still has access to them, the Giro focus for Sunweb and Dumoulin might be the smart choice.
Sunweb also unveiled its team kit for 2019 featuring a snazzy new red.
