Domenico Pozzovivo in 'stable' condition after gut-wrenching crash

Memories of 2011 came flooding back to Giro d'Italia afficionados, when Domenico Pozzovivo crashed, and hit the ground hard, on the descent off the Barbagelata, and lay motionless for what seemed an eternity.

The Italian, who was considered among the favourites for the 98th Giro d'Italia, was treated at the scene, and stablised before being taken by helicopter to San Martino hospital where he is currently under observation. The speed the peloton was travelling, and the initial shots of Pozzovivo's motionless body on the side of the road, foreshadowed an eerily similar circumstance to Wouter Weylandt's tragic 2011 accident, but fortunately the Italian was okay.

According to a statement released by the Giro d'Italia race organisation, "from the moment he first received medical assistance, he was alert, focused, and was able to breath on his own. He was medicated at the scene and, accompanied by a resuscitation specialist, taken in the mobile emergency car unit to the emergency helicopter. During the journey, he was alert, focused, and stable."

Pozzovivo suffered abrasions and trauma to his face and head, but at this stage he appears to have avoided more serious injuries, including any signs of lesions on the brain. The Ag2R team doctor Roberto Parravicini reports that "he is conscious and lucid but has no memory of the crash," but appears otherwise in good condition, considering the circumstances.

Reactions to Pozzovivo's crash varied with a mix of thoughts and well wishes as well as calls for respect. Chris Froome openly criticised the broadcast for what he felt were insenstive pictures of Pozzovivo in the immediate aftermath.

Pozzovivo had had an inauspicious start to the Giro d'Italia, conceding key time in the opening team time trial, and more in yesterday's flat run to Genoa after being caught behind one of the many crashes. It's unknown at this stage what Ag2R plans for the Italian next, but a Tour, or Vuelta participation cannot be ruled out.

The Giro d'Italia continues Tuesday, with a 150km stage between Chiavari and La Spezia.