Following on from earlier reports that Riccardo Riccò was hospitalised due to suspected kidney failure, more details have begun to emerge about his condition. His Vacansoleil team has downplayed the issue, stating in a press release that he has ‘a high fever.’
“After training the climber got a fever attack and went to the hospital. From Monday to Tuesday Riccò will spend the night in the hospital for observation. Riccò's manager expects the rider to go home the next day.”
It adds that he won’t be riding the Tour of the Mediterranean, where he hoped to perform strongly on Mont Faron. His place will instead by taken by Frederik Veuchelen.
The website Biciciclismo has spoken to his agent Giuseppe Acquadro, who confirmed that he was indeed hospitalised due to renal failure, plus fever. He said that he felt ill before training, but went ahead and did a six hour session. Afterwards, his temperature increased to 40 degrees Celsius and so his father decided he had to go to hospital.
Vacansoleil general manager Daan Luijkx told Wielerland that he is feeling much better, and that doctors wanted him to stay at least one day in hospital under observation.
There are no indications yet as to what caused the problem.