Rory Townsend prepares for comeback with Rose Rockets

While his Rose Rockets teammates are racing in Italy, Rory Townsend has mainly been focused on rehab in recent weeks. The Irish champion crashed in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne and was sidelined for a long time with a broken shinbone, but Townsend now has good news.

"While the team is active in Italy, I have been busy with the final preparations for my return to the peloton. After my crash in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, I needed some time to properly recover from my injury and rebuild step by step," the 30-year-old rider shared via his team’s social media channels.

"It’s never easy to watch races from the sidelines, especially when the team is performing so well, but my body needed time and patience. I couldn’t have wished for a better preparation than following the guys in the Giro d’Italia."

Rory is back 💚🤍🧡

While the team has been battling it out in Italy, I’ve been busy putting the final pieces together for my own return to racing. After my crash in Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne, I needed some time to recover properly from my injury and rebuild step by step. It’s never… pic.twitter.com/EUkVlJYc2x

— Unibet Rose Rockets (@rockets_cycling) May 28, 2026

Return at Boucles de la Mayenne
Townsend also followed the Giro as an analyst for TNT Sports. "It was really enjoyable to talk about the Giro and our team. Now I’m happy to say that my comeback is imminent. Tonight, I will return to racing at Boucles de la Mayenne. Honestly, I can’t wait to pin on a race number again after nearly three months. Time to get back to what I love most!"

Townsend has been riding for Rose Rockets since this year. He made his debut for the team at the Clàssica Comunitat Valenciana in late January and was immediately important as a lead-out man for his winning teammate Dylan Groenewegen.