UAE star was left "lying motionless" following Tour de Pologne crash: "It was a horrible scene to witness... it could so easily have been a tragedy"

Jacopo Mosca has described the harrowing scenes of yesterday’s high-speed crash at the 2025 Tour de Pologne, which left UAE Team Emirates - XRG’s Filippo Baroncini “lying motionless” at the roadside.

The crash occurred with just over 20 kilometres remaining on Stage 3, during a fast, technical descent near Wałbrzych. Several riders went down hard after misjudging a corner, including GC leader Paul Lapeira (Decathlon AG2R), Mathias Vacek (Lidl-Trek), and Polish national champion Rafal Majka (UAE Team Emirates). The scale and violence of the incident forced a temporary neutralisation of the race.

While both Lapeira and Majka were eventually able to remount and complete the stage, Vacek and Baroncini were taken to hospital. The latter’s condition, in particular, deeply unsettled those who witnessed the aftermath.

“I only heard about Vacek’s crash over the radio,” Mosca explained after the stage in quotes collected by Quibicisport. “Unfortunately, I saw Baroncini — and I really wish him all the best because it was a horrible scene to witness. I know he’s in good hands, but personally it really shook me. I saw him lying completely still, in a bad position against a wall. I was just relieved to see he was breathing, because it really could have been a tragedy.”

According to the medical bulletin, Baroncini received immediate treatment at the scene and is now under close observation. Mosca expressed hope for a full recovery: “From what I read, it sounds like the doctors acted quickly. I just hope he recovers quickly — but more importantly, fully.”

Vacek, meanwhile, was forced to abandon the race after sustaining a blow to the head and a deep cut to the lip that required stitches. While the Czech rider avoided any serious brain injury, he was taken to hospital for further evaluation. “We saw him yesterday after the stage and again this morning at the hotel,” Mosca added on his teammate. “Physically and mentally, it’s a heavy blow. But we have to be thankful — no fractures, and nothing more serious.”

The crash took place on a stretch of road the riders had already raced twice earlier in the stage. Mosca was keen to clarify that, despite the severity of the incident, the section itself wasn’t inherently dangerous.

“Yes, the roads were narrow, but we’d already ridden that part a couple of times. I think it must have been a mistake from one of the riders at the front. I imagine someone slipped — probably Mathias — but it’s hard to say, especially since the cameras didn’t catch it. And honestly, that’s for the best. For those watching at home, it would’ve been horrible to see him in that state.”

With both Vacek and Baroncini out of the race, the peloton continues the Tour de Pologne down two riders lighter — and with a stark reminder of the risks that define this sport.