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On Tuesday afternoon, Lidl-Trek revealed the information that Italy’s Giulio Ciccone had been compelled to bear surgical procedure for a perineal cyst, which might not solely preserve him off the bike for 4 weeks, but additionally curtail his plans to make his season debut at Tirreno-Adriatico.
After chatting with Ciccone’s Lidl-Trek staff, GCN understands that his schedule as much as Liège-Bastogne-Liège had initially included Tirreno-Adriatico, the Volta a Catalunya and the Tour of the Alps, however these plans are actually up within the air.
“Resulting from extreme irritation, the rider underwent surgical procedure yesterday, Monday fifth February, to take away the cyst,” learn a statement from the team. “Medical doctors have imposed a four-week cease from any on-bike coaching, relying additionally on post-operative developments. The rehabilitation part will observe.
“Ciccone, subsequently, is not going to participate within the altitude coaching camp on Teide as deliberate and, contemplating the size of the cease, his season debut (initially deliberate for Tirreno-Adriatico) and additional race schedule for spring is on standby. Additional updates will probably be offered within the coming weeks.”
For final 12 months’s winner of the King of the Mountains jersey on the Tour de France, the harm will come as a blow, with Ciccone having hoped to enhance on his fifth-place end ultimately 12 months’s Tirreno-Adriatico, and repeat his stage-winning antics on the Volta a Catalunya.
“‘Cicco’ is, in fact, disillusioned to cease his preparation and postpone his begin to the season,” Lidl-Trek’s head of efficiency Josu Larrazabal completely instructed GCN on Tuesday night.
“After a great season final 12 months, the early a part of the season is all the time suited nicely to him, he has all the time received races on this interval so for us additionally the expectation is to begin good and to benefit from the races. That’s not the case and that’s all the time disappointing.”
The 29-year-old has not lengthy since signed a recent contract with Lidl-Trek, that may see him experience within the staff’s distinctive colors by 2027, and the Italian was in line to guide the American aspect on the Giro d’Italia.
There may be nonetheless loads of time between now and the start of the Giro, nevertheless, which begins in Turin on 4 Might, and Ciccone’s staff are content material with how the surgical procedure went on Monday.
“Giulio is feeling nicely. Generally, the whole lot appears to be advantageous,” head staff physician Gaetano Daniele added to GCN.
Dr. Daniele revealed that Ciccone’s surgeon would personally deal with the Italian’s wound on Tuesday night, and emphasised the significance of relaxation and recuperation over the approaching weeks.
“Giulio will probably be strictly adopted within the post-operative interval. Now [he has] full relaxation for 10 to 12 days. Then, new management by the surgeon for stitches elimination. In that second, it will likely be simpler to make a plan for a sensible and secure return on the bike.”
Surgical procedure will not hinder Giro d’Italia preparation
Motivation will not be exhausting to search out all through Ciccone’s rehabilitation course of, although, with the three-time Giro d’Italia stage winner decided to achieve this 12 months’s Grande Partenza in Turin with a clear invoice of well being.
“In the previous couple of years and particularly final 12 months, I had an issue simply earlier than the beginning,” Ciccone mentioned to GCN on the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium. “I had Covid and so I modified the programme on the final second. I nonetheless have this sense that yearly I miss one thing after I experience the Giro, so I would love to attempt the Giro one 12 months actually centered.”
So far as Lidl-Trek are involved, the current setback may nicely dampen their early-season expectations however ought to show no barrier to success on the first Grand Tour of the 12 months.
“For the Giro, there may be nonetheless an extended strategy to go, virtually twelve full weeks till the Giro so we aren’t frightened concerning the Giro,” insisted Larrazabal. “‘Cicco’ has been doing a great winter so in fact even when he must take a bit relaxation, it isn’t like the whole lot will probably be gone.
“After all, it is going to have an effect on the approaching weeks so we’ll reschedule a bit bit the primary races, however aside from that, the April altitude camp and the programme keep the identical and we’re assured the whole lot will probably be advantageous.”
The previous King of the Mountains winner on the Giro has not but revealed whether or not he’ll goal a GC push at this 12 months’s race – the prolonged particular person time trials don’t go well with him – however one factor is for positive: behind Tadej Pogačar (UAE Group Emirates) and Geraint Thomas (Ineos Grenadiers), the race for the rostrum appears broad open.
For all of the vital details about the 2024 Giro d’Italia, make sure you take a look at our dedicated race hub.
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