Trek-Segafredo will tackle the Giro d’Italia with out group chief Giulio Ciccone after the group confirmed that he will not be capable of begin the race following his COVID-19 an infection.
The Italian rider examined optimistic for the virus on Monday and has suffered gentle signs leaving him unable to coach within the lead-up to the Grand Tour.
Ciccone, who has gained three phases of the Giro prior to now, was set to steer the group’s GC problem this Could. Nonetheless, the choice taken by him and the group following persevering with optimistic check outcomes means he’ll miss out on the race and a Grande Partenza in his residence area of Abruzzo subsequent Saturday.
“Giving up the Giro breaks my coronary heart,” Ciccone mentioned. “I am unable to discover another phrases to explain my emotions proper now. I’d have confronted my favorite race after the most effective begin to a season of my profession. I’d have began from residence, from my Abruzzo, a historic occasion, even distinctive.
“All the things was good after which… I imply, it feels absurd. I’ve to swallow a bitter tablet and the considered what I might have performed on this Giro can be in my thoughts for a very long time. Then again, I’ve to take heed to my physique.
“I’ve to recuperate in one of the best ways attainable as a result of the season is lengthy and the chance of compromising it could be too excessive. It is a powerful resolution, however I’ve to simply accept the very fact and look past it. As quickly as I return to racing, I’ll flip this disappointment into willpower.”
Ciccone had loved a robust begin to his 2023 season, taking stage wins on the Volta a Valenciana and on the summit end of Vallter on the Volta a Catalunya, ending second on the former and seventh on the latter. He additionally completed fifth at Tirreno-Adriatico and La Flèche Wallonne and appeared set to mount at high 10 problem on the Giro.
Two years in the past, he was battling for a high 5 within the remaining days of the race earlier than he was compelled to withdraw after getting caught in a multi-rider crash on stage 17 to Sega di Ala. Final 12 months he took his third profession stage win on the race, prevailing from the breakaway on the Alpine stage 15 to Cogne.
As an alternative of racing this 12 months’s Giro, he’ll as a substitute be focussed on recovering from an sickness which has included sinusitis, a cough, and tiredness, based on Trek-Segafredo. His subsequent race can be confirmed later in Could.
“We’re shedding an important a part of our Giro squad,” group directeur sportif Gregory Rasch mentioned. “Together with his innate expertise and with the nice situation he has proven within the very first a part of the season, Giulio had every little thing wanted to be one of many protagonists of the race.
“We’re sorry for him as a result of we all know how a lot he needed to be there, and it is a pity that we can’t have our strongest man for the climbs. Changing a captain a couple of days earlier than the beginning is unimaginable, as is discovering somebody able to taking up his management.
“Within the subsequent few hours, we’ll resolve the rider who will take his place. We now have some good choices who, though in a unique function, will assure their contribution to the group.”
The group’s provisional Giro squad included Bauke Mollema and former world champion Mads Pedersen, in addition to Natnael Tesfatsion, Alex Kirsch, Daan Hoole, Toms Skujins, and Otto Vergaerde. Trek-Segafredo will affirm their eight-man choice on Tuesday.
