Alpecin-Deceuninck have issued a wider medical update on six riders currently absent from racing, with Kaden Groves expected to be ready for the Giro d’Italia after missing the Classics through a knee issue.
The Australian sprinter has been out since early spring, but the team confirmed he is now at altitude camp and working towards a return in time for the opening Grand Tour of the season. Groves’ availability would be an important boost for Alpecin-Deceuninck, particularly with the Giro expected to offer several chances for the faster finishers across the three weeks.
Groves targeting Giro return after knee issue
Groves’ absence through the Classics period came after a knee problem, but the latest update suggests his recovery has moved into a more positive phase. The team said he is “currently on altitude camp” and “expected to be ready for the Giro d’Italia.”
That timeline gives Alpecin-Deceuninck a clearer path towards using Groves as one of their main sprint options in Italy. He has already shown his value in Grand Tours, and his return would strengthen the team’s chances in the flatter stages, particularly if he can arrive with enough racing sharpness despite the interrupted build-up.
Sénéchal ruled out of Tour of Turkey by illness
Florian Sénéchal is the most recent rider added to the team’s injury and illness list. The Frenchman has been sidelined this week due to illness and was unable to start the Tour of Turkey.
Alpecin-Deceuninck said Sénéchal is currently undergoing treatment, with his return dependent on “the evolution of his symptoms.” That leaves his comeback date more open-ended than some of the team’s other updates, with the immediate focus on recovery rather than a fixed race target.
De Vylder aiming for early June after hip fracture
Lindsay De Vylder has been out since Paris-Nice after suffering a hip fracture in a crash at the race. His recovery is progressing well, with the team targeting an early June return to racing.
That would give De Vylder a realistic route back into the summer block, although a hip fracture is the kind of injury that requires patience before normal racing load can resume. The early June target at least suggests the recovery is moving in the right direction.
Ballerstedt and Gogl continue recoveries
Maurice Ballerstedt remains out after undergoing surgery following issues in the saddle area. He has been absent since early March and is gradually working towards a return to training.
Michael Gogl is also recovering, having been out since the beginning of April with a quadriceps muscle tear. The team said he is healing well, with a possible return in the first half of June. That would place him on a similar broad timeline to De Vylder, depending on how his recovery continues over the coming weeks.
Uhlig back training after fractured collarbone
Henri Uhlig is building back up after a crash left him with a fractured collarbone. He did not finish the race in which he crashed, but has since resumed training.
The team said Uhlig is progressing “step by step”, with a return to racing targeted for next month. That gives Alpecin-Deceuninck another rider moving towards availability as the season shifts from the spring Classics into the next block of stage races and summer objectives.
Alpecin-Deceuninck described the group as “currently sidelined” but said all six riders are making progress in their recoveries. For the team, Groves’ expected Giro availability is the most immediate sporting takeaway, while De Vylder, Gogl and Uhlig all appear to have early-summer return windows if their recoveries stay on track.
