After fracturing his collarbone in an unfortunate training crash, Giacomo Nizzolo is back in training. Although it hasn't been determined when he will return to racing, the Italian is still hopeful that he will reach his best form for the Giro d'Italia.

It happened in the blink of an eye. In one moment he was negotiating a corner while out training, an easy maneuver for a pro cyclist, it was not terribly tricky, a turn, in fact, that did not call for any deft bike handling skills – something that Giacomo Nizzolo is known to be very good at – and in the next moment he was on the ground, taking the full force of the fall on his shoulder, not even a bit of road rash to show he had gone down hard. The diagnosis was what he most feared: fractured collarbone.

Nizzolo had surgery nine days ago and has been resting at home since this bizarre crash, which happened on the island of Mallorca at the Trek Factory Racing team training camp.

“I just had the stitches taken out this morning,” said Nizzolo when reached by phone at his home. “I think tomorrow, or the day after, I can start with the rollers indoors and then in just over a week I should be able to go out by bike on the road. Around the second week of March I hope to be able to start to train a full program again.”

Nizzolo began the season in good form, having won the third stage of the Tour de San Luis in January, and the crash was a huge setback for the Italian sprinter who had been ramping up to peak for the Giro d’ Italia.

“It was probably the best start of the season since I am a professional, so I was very upset when this happened. This also affects my preparation for the Giro and my program will change a little bit leading up to it.”

It has not been determined when Nizzolo will step back into competition, but since the Giro d’Italia is one of his biggest goals, he will certainly aim to be back racing as soon as the team agrees he is able.

“I think by the end of March I could come back to racing, maybe with the GP Nobili. But for now we are not sure. Nothing will be decided until we can see how things progress in training.”

The response from fans and the Trek Factory Racing team has been a huge help in Nizzolo remaining positive and motivated.

“I want to say a big thank you for all the support I have received – and especially to my team. I hope to come back as soon as possible to join them again, and have a great rest of the season.”