At 16.20 hrs, on the descent after Barbagelata (km 95), Domenico Pozzovivo (AG2R La Mondiale) fell at speed. Despite dramatic TV images, the Italian is in a stable condition.

The bulletin issued this evening by the Giro d'Italia Medical Unit reads as follows: 

"Rider No. 1 Domencio POZZOVIVO sustained cranio-facial trauma and a major lacerated wound to the face. From the moment he first received medical assistance, he was alert, focused, and was able to breath autonomously. He was medicated at the scene and,accompanied by a resuscitation specialist, taken in the mobile emergency car unit to the emergency helicopter. He was flown to the San Martino hospital for further examination. During the journey, he was alert, focused, and stable."

“By the time we got there he’d lost consciousness briefly but he came around immediately,” race doctor Elena Della Valle said. “He had hit his head and had cuts on his face but he was breathing normally, he was conscious and he was able to move his limbs.”

“The rider got to hospital half an hour ago and his condition is still stable,” race doctor Giovanni Tredici said after the stage. “He’ll undergo the usual battery of tests for facial and head injuries. Our first impression is that the head injuries weren’t significant but obviously we’re awaiting the results of the tests.”

The crash gave memories of the tragic death of Wouter Weylandt who was tragically killed on a stage that finished in today's starting city.

“This was a ‘normal’ event. Clearly, any time there’s a head injury and a lot of blood on the road, it causes an alarm and an event like the one you’ve mentioned comes to mind, but fortunately it was clear straightaway that this was under control,” Dr. Tredici said. “You can’t compare the situation.”