Jannik Sinner knew it right away, Lidl-Trek only realizes in Rome that Ciccone's withdrawal proves more painful than ever

Ciccone came to the Giro without specific ambitions, as the 30-year-old Italian from Lidl-Trek wasn't even there in the last two years. In 2023, he had to pull out last minute because of COVID-19, and last year he had to deal with a butt injury. And so, a few weeks before the 2025 Giro, he said: "I just want to be at the start of the Giro for one year, knowing that I've done everything right and that I'm in good shape."

"There have always been problems in recent years. So I don't want to jinx it, but if everything stays the way it is now, we're on the right track. I have to stay focused, and I'm not going to say what I want to achieve," said the Lidl-Trek team's beloved Ciccone. "I'm fine with not being mentioned among the favorites for the Giro. I'd rather not be mentioned and then surprise everyone than be considered one of the favorites in advance."

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There were many obstacles in the Giro's first two weeks, but Ciccone rolled through the first half of his beloved race very well. He didn't lose as much time as feared in the trials, finished a strong third in the gravel stage to Siena, and showed his explosiveness and climbing ability in the few tests the GC contenders had to face. He also helped Mads Pedersen to two stage wins in the opening weekend.

In the third week, it was time for Lidl-Trek and Ciccone to make their move. With three tough mountain stages ahead, he entered the final weekend of the second week in seventh place in the GC, just 2.20 minutes behind Del Toro in pink and one minute off the podium. "I think he can do something special; we all believe in him. We're going to help him achieve the highest possible result, and maybe that will be a podium place in Rome," said teammate Daan Hoole.

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In stage 14, disaster struck for Ciccone. In a rainy and slippery finale, almost the entire Lidl-Trek team crashed over Antonio Tiberi, with Ciccone suffering the worst. He could not continue the next day due to a knee injury requiring several weeks of rest. A motivational speech from Pedersen was needed to get the team back on track on the final rest day. "Giulio really wanted to attack and make up time in the stages that suited him," Hoole said again.

"He was in the best shape of his life and never really got to show how good he was," said the Dutchman, who added that Ciccone was disappointed when he left the team in the Giro. Top tennis player Jannik Sinner, a good friend of Ciccone and currently playing at Roland Garros, agreed. "I spoke to him, and he is devastated. Our team knows our sacrifices to reach this level, and the Giro is like Wimbledon for me. To end this way broke his heart. It's hard for me not to be there for him right now."

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When we speak to Hoole on the final day in Rome for the fourth time in this Giro, he immediately tells IDLProCycling.com that the blow surrounding Ciccone during the third week may have been even harder when it became clear that Yates, Del Toro, and Carapaz were going to fight for the podium. And that Gee and Caruso could go for the top five. These were all riders who certainly hadn't outclassed Ciccone in the first two weeks of the Giro, except perhaps Del Toro.

"Could Ciccone have won this Giro?" asked cycling journalist Thijs Zonneveld in the podcast In De Waaier. It was a valid question, and therefore, all the more painful for the Italian, knowing he had never finished in the top ten in a Grand Tour. Yates, Carapaz, Gee, and Caruso have all achieved that, but they were perhaps within his reach. "I think that will weigh heavily on Giulio's mind," Hoole nodded.

Carlos Verona won another stage on day 15 from the breakaway in honor of his buddy Ciccone. But he himself will find it challenging to put it behind him. "For him, this GC is a big blow. He could certainly have finished on the podium and competed for the prizes."

Bram van der Ploeg (Twitter: @BvdPloegg | email: [email protected])