Alberto Bettiol hopes to be cleared to begin more intense training on Friday after months of treatment for chronic ulcerative colitis (a serious inflammatory bowel disease) and months of training restrictions.

The EF Education-Nippo rider has not raced since the Tokyo Olympics, but hopes to return to racing early in 2022.

Bettiol, the 2019 Tour of Flanders winner, was diagnosed with chronic ulcerative colitis in a blood test last winter, and a pre-season UCI blood test set off alarm bells.

He received immediate treatment, but the problem derailed his early season training and prevented him from being competitive in the spring classics. He took a stage win at the Giro d'Italia, but the problem flared up again at the Tokyo Olympics road race, and he finished the season in 14th place.

"Unfortunately, I didn't have much choice," Bettiol explained to Tuttobiciweb (opens in new tab). 'The doctor recommended that I undergo a new treatment based on an infusion of mesalazine. In Turin I was treated by a gastroenterologist, Sandro Lavagna, who was in close contact with team doctor Kevin Sprouse and Charlie Wegelius of the Directeur Sportif and was very supportive."

"I have been able to train somewhat in the last few months, which is great compared to last year, but you have to be patient. Fortunately, I have become good at being patient in the last 12 months.

"Now I really hope that Dr. Paolo Cavallo and Alessandro Lavagna at the medical center will give me permission to start training in earnest."

Bettiol hopes to be in top shape again for the Spring Classics and is working with EF Education-Nippo on a European race program for 2022.

"My program starts with the GP La Marseillaise on January 30 and runs from February 2-6 at Etoile de Besseges," he revealed.

"In March I will be in Italy running the Strade Bianche, Tirreno - Adriatico, and Milan - San Remo. The Tour of Flanders and the Amstel Gold Race are also in my plans, but I have to move forward one step at a time.