UAE renew with Baroncini as he returns home from 2-week coma - "He will continue to grow as an important part of our team"

At the Tour de Pologne, as is unfortunately the case almost on a yearly basis now, there was a life-threatening crash taking place, this time involving UAE Team Emirates - XRG's Filippo Baroncini. His injuries were severe and he was put in an induced come for two weeks, and almost a month after the crash he has now returned home. The Italian had more good news to celebrate, as his contract has been extended for two years.

“We are thrilled to welcome Filippo back home and to confirm his contract extension," team manager Mauro Gianetti said in a press release. "He has shown great resilience during this period and we are confident he will continue to grow as an important part of our team. He has a long road to recovery but we will be there to support him on his journey back to competition.”

Baroncini crashed during the third stage of the Polish race, which had been neutralized due to a different crash. “He sustained multiple facial injuries, including a fractured cervical vertebra (no neurological fallout), and facial and clavicular fractures," it was reported at the time. "He is currently being taken care of in hospital and is under the supervision of our medical team.”

Baroncini's facial injuries are what led to the biggest amount of worry. Although the team assured he was not at risk of losing his life, it was a very critical situation, and only after he was woken up was he airlifted back to Italy to continue his recovery. Now he returns home, but his contract situation is no longer a concern.

"I’m really happy to be heading home and feeling stronger each day. The last month has been an extremely difficult period but the support from the team, fans, and my family has been incredible and it gives me great motivation.

In the days leading up to his fall he had shown great form and played a role in Brandon McNulty's overall win. Baroncini is a former under-23 World Champion; this year he won the Baloise Belgium Tour and was one of UAE's domestiques at the much-discussed Giro d'Italia.

“Extending my contract for two more years is very special for me and I thank the management for their confidence in me — I’m looking forward to repaying the team’s trust with hard work and hope for more successes in this family.”