Rabobank cyclist Oscar Freire will make his return to the peloton next week in the Tour of the Basque Country.
Freire has been out of competition since the Tour of California in February where he was invovled in a crash breaking two ribs. The injury meant the Spaniard was unable to go for a third win in Milan-Sanremo, a race that was won by Columbia – High Road sprint sensation Mark Cavendish.
Rabobank director Erik Breukink said the three-time world champion needed to get some racing miles in if he wanted to have the condition to contest the late spring classics. “Oscar does have some problems with his ribs and his breathing, but he must get some time in on the bike. This is the only way he can get fit in time for the Amstel Gold Race.”