"The problem isn't solved yet"

Despite a successful off-season and a comfortable start to the new season in the heat of Australia, Romain Sicard admits he's still troubled by the long-lasting injury that kept him off the bike for most of 2011. Speaking to Cyclingnews, the young Frenchman says it's still a work in progress.

"To be honest, my problem isn't entirely resolved yet. It takes time to heal, so I'm still rehabilitating. With my muscular imbalance, I find it difficult to push hard with my right leg, so I'm therefore on a muscle-building program off the bike. I also get a lot of massages. But it's certainly positive to to able to train and ride normally again, and to be here at the Tour Down Under. I'm fairly pleased with my preparations over the winter", Sicard said.

The 2009 winner of the Tour de l'Avenir will next go on to the Challenge Mallorca, but says his schedule beyond that is dependent on his shape.

"We'll see how it goes and how I feel. If everything goes to plan, I should participate in Paris-Nice for example. Right now, it seems things can only get better. Having been able to train well all winter and now being here i Australia indicates I'll get better day by day. It's motivating".