Di Luca returns in the Giro di Reggio Calabria

Danilo Di Luca, 32, looks forward to starting his season with the Giro di Reggio Calabria

Danilo Di Luca, 32, looks forward to starting his season with the Giro di Reggio Calabria (Image credit: Sirotti)

Danilo Di Luca, winner of the 2007 Giro d'Italia, is returning to competition after a four month winter break. Not racing since the Giro dell'Emilia and serving a three-month suspension in relation to the Oil for Drugs investigation, the 32 year-old rider from Abruzzo has the desire to attach the dossard on his back.

"We covered 600 kilometres in the car and motor-home, from the camp in Terracina a Reggio, but it will be worth it," recalled Di Luca to La Gazzetta dello Sport. He will line up with his LPR Brakes team-mates for the 58th Giro di Reggio Calabria today – a three-stage race in southern Italy.

"This is a race with a long and rich tradition. I personally asked Team Manager Bordonali to open [the season] here and then go to Grosseto [Giro della Provincia di Grosseto, 15-17 - ed.], a valuable course to define your condition."

After Grosseto, Di Luca will race the Trofeo Laigueglia, Monte Paschi Eroica ("The gravel roads fascinate me."), Tirreno-Adriatico and then the Milano-Sanremo.

"At the camp Danilo worked hard and enjoyed himself, helping for a good group," said LPR Brakes' Bordonali. "He has a deep love for the bike."

Some of the riders taking part in Reggio Calabria include Gabriele Balducci, Luca Paolini (Acqua Sapone-Caffè Mokambo), Daniele Nardello, Santo Anzà (Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli), Baden Cooke, Mauricio Soler (Barloworld), Emanuele Sella, Maximiliano Richeze, Luis Felipe Laverde (CSF Group Navigare), Serhiy Honchar (Preti Mangimi).

Stages:
Stage 1: Reggio Calabria-Gioia Tauro, 183 km
Stage 2: Piana- Chiaravalle, 190 km
Stage 3: Chiaravalle-Reggio Calabria, 168 km

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