Marco Pantani suffered two fractures in his left leg after a accident in today's Italian semi-classic Milan - Turin. The accident happened 7 kilometers from the finish when a car somehow got out on the closed road and went uphill as the riders were descending. Pantani will be out of action for at least three months. Two other Italians, Francesco Secchiari and Davide Dall'Oglio, were also injured.
"What a flight, Beppe. If I'm still alive it's a real miracle," said Marco Pantani to his team manager Beppe Martinelli after being launched into the air by a 4X4 heading into the peloton in the opposite direction to the race as it headed down the final descent 7km from the finish in Turin in yesterday's Milan--Turin. Pantani is expected to be out of action for four to six months with his double-fractured left leg -- let's wish him well. I say this particularly strongly having been forcefully reminded of his racing presence by a splendid photo in today's Cycling Weekly. Flat back, Briko-specced bald head up, rain-soaked azure jersey, hands on the drops, he's descending fast in the World Championships.
And let's not forget the other victims. For the second day running Reuters has mindlessly reported that they have "minor injuries". Relatively so, maybe. But for the record: Davide Dall'Oglio (Navigare) has a fractured left femur and Francesco Secchiari (Navigare) a fractured pelvis.