Derek Gee-West makes early debut for Lidl-Trek in UAE Tour due to Giulio Ciccone's illness

Derek-Gee West will make his debut for his new team Lidl-Trek two days earlier than planned. The Canadian replaces his teammate Giulio Ciccone in the UAE Tour (February 16-22), who has to miss the stage race due to illness.

Gee-West’s original plan was to make his debut in German colors at the Volta ao Algarve (February 18-22). There, he was scheduled to start alongside Juan Ayuso. However, due to Ciccone’s illness, Lidl-Trek is missing a GC contender in the UAE Tour, prompting a change in Gee-West’s racing program.

Ciccone was also set to make his season debut in the UAE Tour. His next races are planned for April with the Amstel Gold Race (April 19) and Liège-Bastogne-Liège (April 26), but there is a possibility that another stage race might be added to his schedule.

Both Ciccone and Gee-West have targeted the Giro d’Italia (May 8-31) as a key objective this season.