Dario Cataldo: "I can only say I’m happy to be still alive"

Almost a week has passed since the crash on the opening day of the Volta a Catalunya. Harsh images from the broadcast showed Dario Cataldo on the floor, but the injuries the Italian suffered were worst than expected. However, Cataldo has opened up about the happenings in a recent social media post.

"Almost one week from the terrible crash I had at the first stage of Volta a Catalunya," Cataldo shared in his Instagram page. "It was a very scary moment until when both my lungs were stabilized in the hospital. Fractures at left femur, left collarbone, right acetabulum, nose, 5 vertebras and I still don’t know how many rips (ribs, ed.). The first surgery is gone well and soon I will have the one at the collarbone.

The injuries sustained were brutal, and are putting Cataldo's career at risk. After being stabilized he's undergone a surgery to the femoral head fracture that he suffered, quite possibly the most severe one. More will follow, but the 38-year old has returned to address the accident that happened at high speed.

"I can only say I’m happy to be still alive and not so catastrophic consequence, it could be worse.. Thanks to the doctors and all the Trek-Segafredo's staff for the huge support in any moment of this hard adventure. And thanks to the staff of the Hospital Univerditari de Girona for the great job. Will be a long way to recover 100% but I promise I will be back!" he concluded.