Giuliano Figueras back on the bike

Lampre-Caffita rider Giuliano Figueras is back in action after breaking his hip in a crash on March 22 at the Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi-Bartali. Figueras was yesterday x-rayed at Bologna hospital and the hip injury was found to have completely healed.

"Giuliano is now training, cautiously," said Lampre-Caffitta team doctor Carlo Guardascione. "In about two weeks he will do another check at the hospital to be sure everything is over and he will probably be able to come back racing for the second part of June."

"I have been training for four days," said Figueras. "For the moment I'm doing very light training but I feel very good on the bike and I'm very happy to pedal again. It has been a very difficult period for me but I've understood that I have a great power to face up life's difficulties. I've improved slowly but constantly. Seventeen days after the accident I was able to walk again."

During his convalescence, Figueras has been in Napoli being looked after by his wife and family - and the greater cycling community has helped too. "I have received also a lot of calls, SMS and e-mail from my colleagues, friends and supporters to encourage me to come back racing quickly. They helped me a lot and I'd like to thank them for their presence during all this time," said Figueras.