Filippo Baroncini has been put into an induced coma following a terrifying accident at the Tour de Pologne. The 24-year-old Italian was involved in a collision during a narrow descent in the final kilometres of the race's third stage. Baroncini was among several high-profile cyclists who fell, leading to a near 20-minute neutralisation of the race.

The promising UAE Team Emirates-XRG cyclist was conscious at the scene and was swiftly transported to a hospital in Wroclaw. A comprehensive diagnosis later revealed he had sustained multiple fractures to his face and collarbone.

Baroncini is now in an induced coma to aid his recovery. "It was really a bad incident, a heavy fall," said Mauro Gianetti, Baroncini's manager at UAE Team Emirates-XRG, on Saturday.

"Obviously at the start, the situation was quite critical. Fortunately, he's stable and he's being kept in an induced coma as a precaution.

"The principal issues are the fractured vertebrae. But for the moment he's resting, and no new concerns have arisen."

Gianetti added that a significant operation will be required on his face to address various fractures: "He will need to be taken to Italy for that, but we're waiting for the green light from the doctors for that to happen.

"At the moment he's still intubated, so it will require a special kind of transport [to get to Italy, and they have to wait until the swelling to his face goes down before they can operate."

Lidl-Trek cyclist Jacopo Mosca was present at the harrowing crash scene and expressed his deep concern: "Unfortunately, I saw Baroncini - and I really wish him all the best because it was a horrible scene to witness.

"I know he's in good hands, but personally it really shook me.

"I saw him lying completely still, in a bad position against a wall. I was just relieved to see he was breathing, because it really could have been a tragedy."