Six weeks in a neck brace for Jay Vine - Giro d'Italia and Pogacar support role out of the picture; return to racing unknown

Jay Vine was one of the many riders that went down in the Itzulia Basque County mass crash and one who has certainly suffered severe injuries. Three fractured vertebrae end his plans for the rest of the spring, and he will spend six weeks in a neck brace.

"After examining MRI and final clinical assessment, thankfully no surgery will be necessary for Jay," team doctor Adrian Rotunno updated. "The fractures are stable enough not to warrant surgical correction. Jay will remain in hospital over the following days to allow for ongoing observations and further recovery. He will be in a neck brace for up to six weeks but will be able to start with general body rehab from next week."

The UAE Team Emirates rider will soon begin rehab, and perhaps return to the bike - but not on the road - in a few weeks. However, a return to training on the road will have to wait a minimum of six weeks, mid-May, because he will require a neck brace to stabilize the fractures.

On the positive sign it was determined that they were not severe enough to require surgery, and there has also been a confirmation that there hasn't been neurological damage after the crash where he found himself in a ditch.