Giacomo Nizzolo won Vuelta a San Juan last stage, former Italian champion in Argentina has found success after 15 difficult months.

The 29 year old from Trek Segafredo, thanks to the support of Mapei Sport Research Center, has completely recovered from the physical problems that made his 2017 a nightmare and returned to raise his arms to the sky.
«I am super happy. I really wanted this victory for myself, for the team, my family and all the people who have been close to me in a really complicated year. I have not yet returned to the level of 2016 (when he won road national championship and was 5th in the worlds in Doha, ed), I know well, but this victory gives me so much morale to aim for the great objectives of the season» comments Giacomo, who in San Juan at the sprint beated Max Richeze and Alvaro Hodeg, both Quick Step Floors riders.
«Last year whenever I seemed to be able to get back to racing, something came up putting a stick in my wheels. It was a continuous chase, not being able to find a solution was really frustrating, but I managed to close the season in the group in China, at Tour of Guangxi, and this was very important to then face the winter with more serenity. What stopped me was the result of a combination of factors. There was not a single reason but a series of reasons that after the initial knee problem meant that my body did not respond as it should. Over-training syndrome was not the only problem. Of course I started the season late and at Giro d’Italia I push too much. It is not easy to be calm when you are looking for the result».
The work carried out with Mapei Sport Research Center specialists was fundamental for his recovery. «We followed a specific protocol for overtraining and we supported Giacomo for the return to racing, supporting the team’s technicians and in particular his trainer Josu Larrazabal. Through the monitoring carried out with the assessment tests we were able to evaluate the recovery times and plan the distribution of workloads» explains Andrea Morelli, head of the cycling sector at Mapei Sport.
Nizzolo echoes him: «The feedback given to me by the doctors and trainers of Mapei Sport was a precious tool thanks to which we managed to frame and monitor the problem. Every time I went to Olgiate Olona (VA), it was an important day for me because I understood how much I was recovering. I sincerely thank all the staff of Mapei Sport who has provided me with its time and professionalism».

fphoto above: ©BettiniPhoto / TrekSegafredo