Alex Zanardi moved out of intensive care after 'significant clinical improvements'

CERVIA ITALY SEPTEMBER 20 Alex Zanardi of Italy heads for the finish line on IRONMAN 703 Emilia Romagna on September 22 2019 in Cervia Italy Photo by Bryn LennonGetty Images for IRONMAN
Alex Zanardi after winning Ironman 70.3 Emilia-Romagna in September 2019 (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Italian para-cyclist Alex Zanardi has been moved out of intensive care amid "significant clinical improvements" to his condition two months after suffering severe injuries when he was hit by a truck during a handcycling race in Siena.

The four-time Paralympic gold winner and ex-Formula 1 driver suffered severe head injuries in the collision during the 'Obiettivo Tricolore' relay race, later undergoing four separate neurological and maxillofacial surgeries after being placed in an induced coma.

Initially treated at Siena University Hospital, Zanardi has been in Milan's San Raffaele Hospital since July. A statement issued by the hospital on Wednesday reported that his condition is improving.

"After a period during which he underwent intensive care following hospitalisation, the patient has responded with significant clinical improvements. For this reason, he is currently being assisted and treated in semi-intensive care at the Neuroanimation Unit, directed by Professor Luigi Beretta."

Zanardi last underwent surgery on July 27, a "delicate neurosurgery" to treat some complications resulting from head injuries suffered in the accident, which saw the 53-year-old suffer fractures to most of the bones in his face.

Before his accident, Zanardi was riding with a group of cyclists, including ex-pro Daniele Bennati, at the 'Obiettivo Tricolore' race on open roads in Tuscany. Zanardi lost control on a descent and collided with a truck coming the other way.

Local prosecutors opened an investigation into the incident, looking into the organisation of the race and the safety precautions taken at the time.

In recent weeks, Formula 1 teams have carried '#ForzaAlex' decals on their cars in support of Zanardi, who raced in the sport between 1991 and 1999. He also won two CART championships before a crash at the Lausitzring in Germany in 2001 resulted in the amputation of both legs.

Zanardi returned to competition at the World Touring Car Championship in 2005, and then took up handcycling, where he went on to enjoy great success. Since 2007, he racked up 12 Para-cycling World Championship titles and four Paralympic golds across the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games in London and Rio de Janeiro.

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Senior news writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Prior to joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly, Rouleur, and CyclingTips.

 

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France and the spring Classics, and has interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Wout van Aert, Remco Evenepoel, Demi Vollering, and Anna van der Breggen.

 

As well as original reporting, news and feature writing, and production work, Dani also oversees The Leadout newsletter and How to Watch guides throughout the season. Their favourite races are Strade Bianche and the Volta a Portugal.