Simone Petilli pictured after finally leaving hospital. One of his injuries was a fracture to the back of the skull where spine meets skull. But he does not regard this as a serious injury and is thankful he was not seriously injured.
Riders' photos after Lombardy ravine crashes
Almost one week after four riders crashed in spectacular fashion into the same ravine at the Tour of Lombardy, the recovery they face is clear.
One of their number, Daniel Martinez (Wilier Triestina), emerged unscathed and is currently riding the Tour of Turkey.
But things are very different for Laurens De Plus (QuickStep), Simone Petilli (UAE Team Emirates) and Jan Bakelants (AG2R La Mondiale).
De Plus was first to crash and his smash off the road with about 35km remaining was captured on TV.
There were real fears for his safety, though his team quickly said they had spoken to him on the way to hospital and he was conscious and not badly injured.
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However, he was diagnosed with a fractured kneecap. It is an injury that will take a long time to come back from.
And he has shared a photo of himself being discharged from hospital in a wheelchair with members of his family.
.@LaurensDePlus has left the Cantu hospital and is on his way to Belgium, where tomorrow he will undergo medical re-examination. pic.twitter.com/oYGk0lAABV
— Quick-Step Cycling (@quickstepteam) October 8, 2017
Petilli suffered a concussion and a fracture of the right occipital condyle; that area at the bottom of the back of the skull where skull meets spine.
He also suffered a fracture of the right tranverse process of the D1 vertebra, a broken right collarbone and a broken right shoulder blade.
And he was left with wounds, including what look like chainring marks, above his right eye.
Now just discharged from hospital in Varese he spoke to tuttobiciweb.it and said he was badly injured but in good spirits.
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"It's getting better and better, they have locked my neck with a (brace),” he said.
“Now I am only missing the collarbone operation, from which recovery time should not be long.
“So I just need to have a little patience. I must have some forced rest and not the classic end-of-season vacation. But I do not make a drama.
“The important thing is not having serious injuries. For vacations, there will be other opportunities in the coming years. Now the priority is to recover from this accident.”
I wanted to thank everyone for the messages of support! My conditions improves more and more, in 2018 I'll be back stronger than before!✌️ pic.twitter.com/GnzmPjDNUE
— Simone Petilli (@SimonePetilli) October 12, 2017
Bakelants was also badly injured and his recovery is also going to be long.
AG2R-La Mondiale released a lengthy statement today revealing their rider had only been medically stable enough to leave Italy yesterday for a hospital in Belgium.
He has been diagnosed seven rib fractures, as well as the fractures of two dorsal vertebrae (D8, D10) and two lumbar vertebrae (L1 and L3), which required placing him in intensive care.
Bakelants must undergo an emergency operation to stabilise his vertebrae in Belgium, where he was transferred by a specialist medical team yesterday.
He was set to undergo that surgery in Gasthuisberg Hospital in Leuven earlier today.
“Jan’s parents, his companion Daphne and his daughter Julia have been with him since Monday,” the team said.
“He and his family were shocked by the accident. They are now relieved to be returning to Belgium, and his next operation before beginning a long rehabilitation.
“Jan was very touched by the many messages of support that he received, but cannot respond to at the moment.
“Jan and his family ask everyone, the public and the media, to respect their wish for quiet and privacy during these difficult times.
"The number one priority will be to allow Jan to return to the level of health that will allow him to resume his career.
“The AG2R La Mondiale cycling team wishes Jan a speedy recovery, and everyone hopes to see him very soon back in the peloton.”
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