Manx cyclist Jonathan Bellis' condition has improved to stable from critical. The 21-year-old Bellis suffered head injuries in a motor scooter accident early Saturday morning in Quarrata, Italy.
The accident occurred at 3:30 in Quarrata, where fellow Manx cyclist Mark Cavendish lives. Bellis was wearing a helmet and travelling along Via IV Novembre, according to Il Tirreno. Medics took Bellis to a hospital in Careggi, north of Firenze.
Police are determining the cause of the accident.
National British Under 23 director Max Sciandri immediately joined Bellis at the hospital. Bellis' parents flew to Italy Saturday after they heard of the accident, according to isleofman.com.
Bellis is in Quarrata to train with other British riders and Sciandri. British Cycling had him listed him on the preliminary list of riders for elite World Championships Sunday in Mendrisio, Switzerland.
He finished third in the 2007 Under 23 World Championships in Stuttgart, Germany. After a trainee period with ProTour team Saxo Bank last fall, he turned professional with the team this season.
"We are saddened by the news of Jonathan's accident, but we know that he is in good hands at the hospital in Florence. Our thoughts and hopes go out to Jonathan, his family and friends," said Saxo Bank team owner, Bjarne Riis.
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