Fabio Aru returns to racing after operation
The Italian will participate in the GP Lugano on June 9
Fabio Aru (UAE Team Emirates) is to return to racing after recovering from surgery earlier this year that saw him forced out of competing for four months.
The Italian will make his comeback at the GP Lugano, a Swiss one-day race, on June 9.
"I’ve followed the prescribed rehabilitation program to recuperate physical strength after the surgery," Aru said. "I’ve had nothing but good sensations and I haven’t encountered any problems."
Speaking ahead of his comeback, he added: "In light of this and in agreement with the medical and technical staff, we have decided that it will be useful to participate in the GP Lugano to try out my racing rhythm.
"After that we will evaluate the situation to see what our next step should be."
In March of this year it was announced Aru would undergo surgery for a constricted iliac artery in his left leg, meaning he would miss the Giro d'Italia 2019. At the time, Aru said he could "only be relieved to have highlighted the problem but on the other hand, I am angry about the bad luck that has fallen on me for the umpteenth time."
The incident followed a 2018 that the 28-year-old called "one of the darkest moments of my career" after he abandoned the Giro d’Italia with mysterious problems, crashed and cursed his sponsors in the Vuelta a España, and pulled himself out of the running for Italy’s World Championships team.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
At the 185.6km GP Lugano, Aru will be accompanied by Tadej Pogačar, who last raced in the Tour of California where he won the overall classification, as well as Jan Polanc who comes fresh from wearing the pink jersey for a couple of days at the Giro d'Italia.
Diego Ulissi, Marco Marcato, Tom Bohlli and Aleksandr Riabushenko will complete the lineup for UAE Team Emirates.
Vincenzo Nibali, Domenico Pozzovivo (both Bahrain-Merida) and Michael Albasini (Mitchelton-Scott) are among the other riders set to line up for the category one race on Sunday (June 9).
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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
Is aero important when riding gravel?
While seeking aerodynamic improvement is regarded as conventional wisdom on the road, should the same apply to gravel racing?
By Andy Turner Published
-
Stephen Roche: 'Hopefully I can personally hand Pogačar the keys to the 'Triple Crown of Cycling' club'
The Irishman, who achieved the feat in 1987, praises Slovenian's 'superhuman achievement'
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Fabio Aru announces his retirement
The Grand Tour winner will close out his career at the end of the Vuelta a España
By Alex Ballinger Published
-
Fabio Aru could sign for Alpecin-Fenix and race cyclocross in January, according to reports
The Italian's disappointing time at UAE Team Emirates is coming to an end and he will now look to revamp his career elsewhere
By Jonny Long Published
-
'I really don’t know what is happening to me': Fabio Aru left in shock after Tour de France abandonment
The Italian gave a brutally honest assessment of the situation that forced him to abandon the Tour in the Pyrenees
By Richard Windsor Published
-
Fabio Aru 'has the legs to stay with the top guys' as he plots for 2020 season
The Italian is optimistic as he targets Grand Tours and the Olympic Games in 2020
By Jonny Long Published
-
Fabio Aru trying to stay 'realistic' at Tour de France after comeback from operation
Italian pleased with performance in first Grand Tour after operation
By Richard Windsor Published
-
'I couldn't really pedal': Fabio Aru on the moment he had to use a Tour de France neutral service bike
The Italian lost time after a mechanical meant he had to ride the Mavic neutral service bike
By Gregor Brown Published
-
Fabio Aru to make Grand Tour comeback at Tour de France after successful surgery
The Italian missed the Giro d'Italia after undergoing surgery for a constructed iliac artery in his leg
By Jonny Long Published
-
Fabio Aru to miss Giro d'Italia after surgery for constricted iliac artery
The Italian faces time off the bike with upcoming surgery
By Gregor Brown Published