The Belgian broke seven ribs and four vertebrae (T8, T10, L1 and L3) in the life threatening crash.
He was initially taken to a hospital in Como, where he remained in intensive care until Thursday. A hemothorax (blood between the chest wall and the lung) prevented an earlier transfer to his native Belgium for further treatment.
According to Belgium’s Het Nieuwsblad, Bakelants’ management said, “The fractures in the L3 are unstable and Jan will have to undergo an urgent operation in Belgium. Due to a hemothorax, it was not possible to transfer Jan to Belgium in recent days. Now his state has stabilised, Jan will be transferred to the UZ Gasthuisberg in Leuven.
"…A medical team has already arrived that will assist him during this repatriation. If everything goes well, he will be operated at Leuven on Friday, October 13, by a specialized doctor."
Bakelants was one of four riders to crash into the same ravine during Saturday’s Giro di Lombardia. Laurens De Plus (QuickStep Floors) and Daniel Martinez (Willier Triestina-Selle Italia) escaped without major injury.
Simone Petilli (UAE Team Emirates) suffered a concussion as well as fractures to the base of his skull, T1 vertebra, right collarbone and right shoulder blade.
"Jan and his family thank everyone for giving them the necessary rest in this difficult period, in which his further recovery is a priority. Once the repatriation and operation are back, a further update can be given,” Bakelants’ team management said.
