30/04/2023

"Giving up the Giro breaks my heart" - Giulio Ciccone forced to miss home start as Covid-19 takes him out of Giro d'Italia

The news were to be expected but are now confirmed, Giulio Ciccone will miss the Giro d'Italia. The Italian tested positive for Covid-19 the days following Liège-Bastogne-Liège and the complications that emerged from it will have the Trek - Segafredo miss out on a Grande Partenza in his home region of Abruzzo.

“We are losing a very important part of our Giro squad," team DS Gregory Rast said in a press release. "With his innate talent and with the great condition he has shown in the very first part of the season, Giulio had everything needed to be one of the protagonists of the race."

2023 Giro d'Italia Race Center - TV, Startlist, Profile & Previews

The Italian won a stage and finished second in the Volta a Comunitat Valenciana, finished fifth at Tirreno-Adriatico, seventh at the Volta a Catalunya, fifth at Flèche Wallone and then 13th after an aggressive performance at Liège. He had been having the best start of the season of his career and was very confident towards the Corsa Rosa where he'd be a contender for the podium, however it wasn't meant to be.

“Giving up the Giro breaks my heart. I can’t find any other words to describe my feelings right now," Ciccone shared in an emotional message. "I would have faced my favorite race after the best start to a season of my career. I would have started from home, from my Abruzzo; a historic event, even unique. Everything was perfect and then… I mean, it feels absurd. I have to swallow a bitter pill and the thought of what I could have done in this Giro will be in my mind for a long time."

Final startlist Giro d'Italia with Evenepoel, Roglic, Ganna, Cavendish, Almeida, Carthy, Vlasov and Thomas

The 28-year old has not yet finished in the Top10 of a Grand Tour in his career, but the overall classification was his absolute goal. Having proven himself in the high mountains, the route suited his characteristics and he was set to lead the American team. In his absence Mads Pedersen will take on a bigger role as he looks to hunt for stage wins and possibly the points classification.

"On the other hand, I have to listen to my body. I have to recover in the best way possible because the season is long and the risk of compromising it would be too high. It’s a tough decision, but I have to accept the fact and look beyond it. As soon as I return to racing, I will turn this disappointment into determination," Ciccone promised.