"I am with you and I wish you the best" - Tadej Pogacar sends warm message to 21-year-old prospect left in coma following training collision with motorbike

21-year-old Italian prospect, Daniel Gianello should be out on his bike, training for his next race. But after the Overall Cycling Team was hit by a motorbike whilst training, that sadly isn't the case.

Gianello remains hospitalized in Lugano, continuing his battle for recovery. He has a notable supporter: Tadej Pogacar. The 21-year-old Turin native, part of Team Overall Tre Colli, suffered a severe accident on July 17th while training near Bernina in Switzerland. A motorbike veered into his lane, hitting him forcefully. Following the crash, Gianello was airlifted to Lugano's hospital and has since undergone multiple surgeries, including one on his tibia. While his condition was initially stable and showing slight improvement, he developed pneumonia, necessitating his placement in a coma for better treatment. His lungs, injured in the accident, are a primary concern for the medical team.

Hearing of the crash, Pogacar has once again shown his class not only as a generational talent on the bike, but as a rider who always has time for his fans and lovers of cycling too.

Adding to his support, Tadej Pogacar, who trained with Daniel on the French Riviera last February, sent a video message to encourage Gianello, his family, and his team. "Hi Daniel, this is Tadej. I heard about your accident and I would like to wish you a speedy recovery. I hope you can hear this message: I am with you and I wish you the best and I would like to meet you again one day on the roads," said the Slovenian leader of UAE Team Emirates and Giro d'Italia and Tour de France winner in 2024.