Baroncini 'stable' in induced coma after Poland crash

Baroncini suffered face and neck injuries as well as a broken collarbone when he was among the fallers in a mass crash on stage 3 to Wałbrzych that saw the race neutralised. The Italian remains in hospital in Wałbrzych, where he has been placed in an induced coma as a precaution.

Speaking to Domestique and Cyclingnews in Bukowina on Saturday, Gianetti explained that Baroncini is likely to remain in a coma until he has been transferred to Italy for surgery in the coming days. “The positive thing is that he’s stable, his vital parameters are ok, so now it’s a question of patience. We can say that after the drama, the boy is stable, he’s well, so we’re all more reassured now. It’s a question of time and a lot of work,” said Gianetti.

“It was really a bad incident, a big impact. Obviously, at the start, the situation was quite critical. Fortunately, all the vital parameters are under control, he’s stable. He’s being kept in an induced coma as a precaution. The principal issue is the fractured vertebrae. But for the moment, he’s still and sleeping, so they’re not creating particular worries. It’s not certain that he’ll need an operation on the vertebrae, he might be able to avoid it. The specialists will assess that.

“His spleen at the start was quite damaged, and now that’s under control. He has various wounds to the face, as he suffered a big blow. His face will need a big operation because he has various fractures. He should be transported to Italy for that. We’re waiting for the ok from all the doctors. At the moment, he’s still intubated, so it will require a special kind of transport.”

Gianetti confirmed that Baroncini has already undergone surgery on his broken collarbone, and he indicated that the rider is likely to undergo facial surgery in Milan on his return to Italy.

“He’ll certainly be another couple of days more in induced coma for his safety. We should be able to transport him to Italy in the next two or three days, and so he’ll probably stay in an induced coma until he arrives in Italy,” Gianetti said. “He’ll probably go to Milan, we’re looking for a structure with the best specialists.”

Gianetti arrived in Poland on Friday to visit Baroncini, whose father and brother were already by his bedside in Wałbrzych.

“At the start, they were obviously very scared, but now they’re more reassured,” Gianetti said. “They know he’s in good hands. The hospitals here are really excellent, and I have to thank them, they’ve really taken great care of Filippo. They’re exceptional.”

The 24-year-old Baroncini is in his second season with UAE Team Emirates-XRG, having joined the team from Lidl-Trek at the end of 2023.

Baroncini was the under-23 world road race champion in Leuven in 2021 ahead of Biniam Girmay. He made his Giro d’Italia debut this year, riding in support of Isaac del Toro and Juan Ayuso and has two professional victories to his name, including the general classification at the Baloise Belgium Tour in June.