As Movistar representatives informed, Adriano Malori is conscious and lucid, being out of an induced coma for over 48 hours. The Italian rider was sedated due to head injuries he suffered in a big crash in the fifth stage of the Tour de San Luis last Friday, but has been showing significant signs of improvement since then.

Malori was leading the peloton when he hit a pothole and crashed heavily, making other cyclists riding at the front collapse right on him. As a consequence, many riders in likes of Fernando Gaviria or Rodrigo Contreras (Etixx-QuickStep) were forced to abandon the race, but the 28-year old Italian suffered most severe injuries.

Even though informations about the Movistar rider being sedated were somewhat alarming, team's doctor Jesus Hoyos explained that it was an usual medical precedure undertaken in case of severe head injuries.

“This is the usual protocol in such injuries, consequence of a cranioencephalic trauma,” he said.

Malori's progress over the weekend allowed the medical stuff to transport him to a better equipped neurological clinic in Buenos Aires, where he has undergone further medical examination and received specialized care.

Staying in Argentina, Malori couldn't take part in the official Movistar team presentation held on Monday. His Spanish squad has some very good news, though, as they informed that the 28-year old Italian has been out of the induced coma for 48 hours. According to VeloNews, his state was described as „conscious and lucid”.

As Adriano Malori celebrates his 28th birthday today (28/01), CyclingQuotes team wishes him a speedy recovery.