After an injury-hit start to 2016, Andre Greipel has labelled 2016 his worst start to a season in his career, but the German sprinter says he can reach shape ahead of the Giro’s Grande Partenza on Friday.

“I’ve had the worst beginning of a season ever in my career,” Greipel told VeloNews. “With broken ribs I wasn’t able to train like I wanted and especially couldn’t focus on sprint training as it was just impossible to do. Still I know I’m not on the level I used to be for the sprints, but I’m still good and getting better every day.”

After having the season of his life in 2015, the 33 year old Lotto-Soudal rider says age isn’t a factor in his lack of wins so far in 2016, where he has just three. It is key to note he had three wins at this stage in 2015 and still went on to boss the sprints in 2015.

“I’m getting older, but I don’t think age is a factor at the moment,” said the three-time Giro stage winner, who has only finished the race once in three starts. “I’m back in my sprint training and for sure the form will come back. It’s not about age, it’s just about having a year where I haven’t been able to push myself to higher limits.”