Making a return to competition two months after winning the Giro d’Italia, Vincenzo Nibali finished far off the pace on day one of the Tour de Pologne. However, after the stage to the top of the Madonna di Campiglio, his Astana team ruled out any concerns at the nine minute thirteen second time loss, saying that it wasn’t putting any pressure on the rider to perform in his first race back.
“We expected this after two months of not racing,” said directeur sportif Giuseppe Martinelli, who in the past managed Marco Pantani. “Nibali had a long period of rest, and is now coming back to a peloton already in different stages of fitness.
“We are not troubled by this effort: he came in serenely, with no overexertions, no mental reservations about not fighting for the stage, and will be ready for the rest of the week.”
Indeed Nibali has already shown better form today, going on the attack with Christophe Riblon (Ag2r La Mondiale), Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma Quick Step), Thomas Rohregger (RadioShack Leopard) and Tomasz Marczynski (Vacansoleil-DCM Pro Cycling Team).
They are currently clear during the stage, showing that the Astana team leader is clicking back into racing mode.
Martinelli has said that the team’s priority is that the riders complete the long transfer to Krakow with a minimal amount of disruption, then go on to the remaining stages.
Nibali dominated this year’s Giro and is hoping to win the Vuelta a España for the second time in his career. The Tour de Pologne is part of his buildup for that event.
He is also likely to challenge for victory in the world road race championships. It is being held in Florence on a course which should suit his characteristics, and he will be fired up to ride well on home soil.