UAE's Filippo Baroncini woken up after 14 days of coma - Italian required 11-hour long surgery

Cycling feared another tragic outcome at the Tour de Pologne two weeks ago as UAE Team Emirates - XRG's Filippo Baroncini was the victim of a fall and was placed in a coma due to the gravity of the facial and spinal injuries he suffered. Two weeks after the fall, the Italian rider is no longer in an induced coma, as doctor take another step in aiding his recovery.

Baroncini was seriously injured in a fall during the third stage of the Tour de Pologne, a day that was neutralized due to the crash that also affected race leader Paul Lapeira, national champion Rafal Majka and big GC contender Mathias Vacek amongst others. Baroncini however was involved in a fall during the day that left him unconscious, but in a very bad state, as described by compatriot Jacopo Mosca:

“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.”

But it was still a tragic outcome, as the Italian was placed in an induced coma due to the gravity of his injuries, as confirmed by team DS Mauro Gianetti: "He did not sustain any damage to any vital organs during the crash; Filippo's life is not in danger. Our rider is in an induced coma. The doctors have put him under deep sedation, and his condition is stable". He was flown to Italy whilst in this state. 

But Corriere di Romagna has brought positive updates on this Saturday. Two surgeries later and two weeks exactly after his fall, the UAE rider has been woken up after having successfully having been stabilized. One of the surgeries, regarding his facial injuries, required 11 hours of work. He is still in intensive care but could leave it depending on the evolution of his health status over the coming days.