Gasparotto makes comeback

Liquigas rider Enrico Gasparotto has returned to riding after the Italian national champion was forced interrupt his season due to a bout of pneumonia that afflicted him during the Tour de Romandie. Gasparotto already had to take several months off due to mononucleosis.

Gasparotto finished fourth on stage one of Romandie before his recent illness, and the 24-year-old expects to defend his Italian champion's crown in late June - although training time will be limited. "The delight of returning to the bike is enormous and surpasses the disappointment and the sadness of this first part of season," said Gasparotto, before he added that, "I only hope to be able to ride problems until the end of the year, and I'm convinced that the results will come."