With three stage wins, Giant-Shimano had a highly successful Giro d'Italia but the team also had its share of bad luck. Marcel Kittel had to leave the race due to illness while Tobias Ludvigsson crashed out of the first time trial in dramatic fashion. Luckily both are recovering well from their health issues.

Following his withdrawal from the Giro d’Italia in its first week, Kittel is now fully recovered and back in training at altitude in Sierra Nevada.

“I was really disappointed to have to leave the Giro, especially after getting the race off to such a good start but it was for the best,” said Kittel from Spain.

“I was basically in bed for the rest of the week after coming home. I tried to do some short, easy rides but I did not feel good at all so I just focused on recovering. I’ve now been out in Sierra Nevada training for over a week and I’m feeling healthy again and concentrating on my next goals.”

Ludvigsson suffered a horror fall during the first individual time trial at the Giro d’Italia, slipping on a wet descent corner and toppling over the safety barrier metres down on the ground below. Thankfully, after extensive tests at hospital and with the team’s medical experts he was cleared and walked away with just cuts and bruises.

A week after his fall, Ludvigsson was doing well, resting up at home and looking ahead to when he would be able to train again. At the time he was still suffering from pain in his back and pelvis from the bruising but was able to sleep OK while focusing on recovering.

Ten days later, Ludvigsson is now back on the bike, on the indoor trainer, and today celebrated his first day without pain killers. “I’m so happy that I can finally be back on the bike again.”

Brian Bulgac was sidelined for a short period of racing after dislocating his thumb in a crash on the opening stage of the Tour de Picardie. He is now fully recovered and has been back racing and was recently part of the Team Giant-Shimano line-up for the Baloise Belgium Tour.