Rabobank's Stef Clement will get his chance to return to the Grand Tours with next month's Giro, following Tom Leezer's problems with bursitis, which necessitate his absence from the year's first Grand Tour.
The 28 year old Clement enjoyed a sizzling 2009 campaign, which included a stage win at the Dauphine and a national time trial championship. 2010, however, was the exact opposite. The rider spent nine months out of competition with a mysterious injury that took visits to twenty one different doctors before the twenty second figured it out - the problem was in his pelvis. The rehabilitation process began at that point and this spring, at the Vuelta a Andalucia, the Dutchman returned to competition.
So far, this year has been a quiet one for the returning to health Clement, but with Leezer's continuing knee pain leaving no option for him but to take a pass on the Giro, the time trial specialist will get the chance to return to the big time.
Perhaps the difficult course of the Giro will be exactly what the former Worlds time trial podium finisher needs to return to the level that made him one of Holland's top prospects just a few years ago.
Clement will form the final member of an all-Dutch brigade for the upcoming Giro d'Italia.
Stef Clement, Theo Bos, Jos van Emden, Rick Flens, Steven Kruijswijk, Tom Jelte Slagter, Bram Tankink, Pieter Weening, and Dennis van Winden.