Giro d'Italia: Luca Wackermann out of hospital after crash caused by helicopter
Barrier blown over by draft from helicopter struck Wackermann and teammate Etienne van Empel on Giro's fourth stage
By Reuters
Last Updated: 08/10/20 11:26am
Italian rider Luca Wackermann has been released from hospital following his horrific crash at the Giro d'Italia and will return home on Thursday.
The crash, which brought down Wackermann and Dutchman Etienne van Empel of the Vini Zabu-KTM team, happened at the end of Tuesday's fourth stage when a barrier was blown over by the draft from a low-flying helicopter and struck the two riders.
Wackermann, 28, suffered concussion as well as a fracture of the nasal bones and multiple contusions.
He also sustained bruises to his arms and legs and a suspected back fracture and was forced to withdraw from the race.
"Luca Wackermann has been released from the hospital of Messina," his team, Vini Zabu-KTM, said on Twitter.
"His smile is our most important win."
The Professional Cyclists' Association (CPA) said it would request an investigation with the sport's governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
A freak accident on stage three also forced Geraint Thomas out of the Giro, after he ran over a stray water bottle which caused an "undisplaced fracture of his pelvis".
