"I finally return to cycling."

Giovanni Visconti has announced his return to training after a rest period was lengthened by an infection of a hematoma while the Italian Movistar rider was still recovering.

Visconti was admitted to hospital in Florence in early November as a result of an infection of a wound he suffered from a fall in Il Lombardia. After his crash, Visconti subsequently rode the Tour of Beijing and was part of a Movistar training camp in Pamplona.

"After 33 days off, I have returned to the saddle of my bike," Visconti wrote on his website.

Although still not at 100%, Visconti said that a return to training is good news for him.

"A return to activity is nice even though I’m still affected by the antibiotic treatment to address the bacterial infection. Nevertheless, these early days I finally got a dose of cautious optimism and good feeling," Visconti concluded.

Visconti shone brightly in the Giro d' Italia, taking two stage wins at the Galibier and in Vicenza. Neither Visconti nor his Movistar team has revealed anything about the rider’s plans for the 2014 season but he is likely to take part in the Giro d’Italia in a supporting role for Nairo Quintana should the Colombian elect to race in the Italian Grand Tour.