The cycling world was shocked to learn about the extent of Filippo Baroncini after his crash at this year’s Tour de Pologne, and the UAE Team Emirates – XRG rider was placed in an induced coma for two weeks. A lot could’ve happened, but was is close to the best case scenario is coming to reality as the Italian rider returns to training at the highest level.
In two Instagram stories, it is possible to see the Italian in good spirits, training alongside Juan Sebastián Molano in the UAE, where a few of the team’s riders have gathered for a pre-season camp and sponsorship duties. Baroncini, who hasn’t raced since August, is keen on making a return and has made the trip, confirming his ambitions to also return to racing at the start of next year.
“Luckily, my eyes were spared by a few millimeters… I didn’t sustain any serious internal injuries. I’d like to speed up the process, but at the same time, I know I shouldn’t,” the Italian recently said to Gazzetta dello Sport. After the crash and the first successful surgery, team manager Mauro Gianetti was honest about what was a miraculous set of procedures:
“His face was disfigured, and you can’t imagine what oral surgeon Gabriele Canzi and surgeon Davide Colistra did. They did something incredible in an operation that lasted more than eleven hours. Medical science has made incredible progress these days. Things are being done that were unthinkable a few years ago. I don’t want to go into details, but I assure you: they did something extraordinary.”
Baroncini suffered life-threatening injuries to his face and spine as well as a fractured collarbone, which led to multiple surgeries. “I know the recovery has to happen at the right time so I can reach my full potential again. I have to keep a close eye on my mouth and jaw. I’ve lost a lot of mass and weight, but I need and want to look ahead. I want to make a big comeback.”
Baroncini at this year’s Baloise Belgium Tour. @Imago