Last month, Fabio Aru won the Vuelta a Espana. The Astana Pro Team leader returned to his home in Sardinia with family and friends to celebrate his victory. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, a special 'PedalAru' event was organised in his home town of Villacidro.

"It's always great to return to Sardinia, I haven't been back since January," Aru explained. "It's a quick visit but it's been really enjoyable. I hope that this PedalAru event is the first of many and that my success can help cycling develop and become more popular on the island. It'd be great if we could bring back the Giro dl Sardegna and that the Giro d'Italia returns in the next few years."

"I've often spoken to a crowd but this is the first time I know everyone I can see. It's great to look around and see so many of the people I know from home. When I'm away and perhaps suffering on a climb, the thought that everybody is cheering for me back home gives me extra motivation."

His manager Alexander Vinokourov would like to see his rider present at the next Tour de France. Vincenzo Nibali will focus on the Giro d'Italia and the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.