Diego Ulissi forced to take a break from racing due to heart concerns
The UAE Team Emirates rider is coming off a great season with two Giro d’Italia stage wins
Diego Ulissi has been forced to take a break from racing due to heart concerns.
The Italian had been strong all season, winning two stages of the Giro d'italia and racking up a collection of victories.
But while undergoing off-season health checks required by the UCI, UAE Team Emirates doctors discovered abnormalities during cardiac tests.
Dr Michele De Grandi said: “Diego underwent the normal health checks required by the UCI and the team. Subjectively he was fine and did not feel any disturbance, but the finding of an irregular heartbeat during a physical exertion, not previously present, gave us some doubt. Even with a normal ultrasound appearance, two new tests (Holter ECG 24 hours, which highlighted further arrhythmias, and a cardiac MRI scan) have drawn a conclusion of myocarditis.”
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle and is usually caused by a virus.
Treatment can often involve medication, while people with myocarditis are often told to avoid exercise during recovery.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Ulissi, 31, said he will take a break from racing that he hopes is temporary, but is not sure when he will be back to competition.
He said: “I cannot hide the feeling of worry and anger. I’ve never had any sign of it, I’ve always felt good; Fortunately, the team’s medical staff were quick to act and discovered this abnormality. I will take a break now which I hope will be temporary, bearing in mind that the priority is health, because life does not end with cycling.
“I have just finished what has perhaps been my best season ever, with a consistent run of high level performances from January to October which also earned me the Top Ten in the UCI individual ranking. I was already beginning my preparation for 2021 with the desire to build on last year’s results.
“Now, however, I find myself facing this unexpected situation. I think my state of mind is understandable for everyone.
“A heartfelt thanks to all at UAE Team Emirates who are taking great care of me through this unfortunate time.”
Ulissi was strong this season, winning two stages and the overall at the Tour de Luxembourg before adding to his tally of Giro d’Italia stage wins, taking two victories in his home Grand Tour.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Is your bike the noisest in the bunch? 13 steps to a silent ride
A quiet bike is a joy to ride, so here's how to banish unwanted noises - what to check for, how to fix it and why you shouldn't ignore what your bike is telling you
By Tim Russon Published
-
Cycplus Tiny E-Pump AS2 Review - an electric alternative to CO2
Small enough to fit in your pockets, it inflates to 100psi with a 200-second usage per charge
By Paul Grele Published
-
'I pulled it off and turned everything around' - Brandon McNulty on the ride that changed him
US star grabbed his first ever Grand Tour win at last year’s Giro d’Italia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'We were lucky with the weather': Brandon McNulty admits rain helped UAE Emirates edge Paris-Nice stage three team time trial
American pulled on the yellow jersey after a rain soaked finale to stage three in Auxerre
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
UAE Team Emirates power to team time trial victory on stage three of Paris-Nice
Team take advantage of more clement weather to put Finn Fisher-Black into yellow jersey
By Adam Becket Published
-
'He’s making history': Paris-Nice reacts to Strade Bianche masterclass from Tadej Pogačar
'He can still surprise us all the time’ João Almeida on Pogačar's performance in Tuscany
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘He’s learning fast’: Isaac del Toro, the peloton’s ‘best neo-pro’ triumphant at Tour Down Under
The Mexican has had raced just twice at WorldTour level, and taken his debut victory at the second opportunity
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar and UAE-Team Emirates angry with motorbike but remain optimistic of taking Tour de France yellow
It's proving almost impossible to separate the two at the top, and a close motorbike on stage 14 didn't help Pogačar's intentions
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard takes yellow at Tour de France: ‘It would be better to have two minutes than 25 seconds’
Reigning champion in yellow jersey but Tadej Pogačar strikes back
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Adam Yates: Going one-two with your twin brother at the Tour de France, not many can say that
Adam beats Simon Yates in Bilbao, but says his brother will be a 'pain in the ass' in the coming weeks
By Adam Becket Published