Alessandro Ballan (BMC Racing) has been released from intensive care in Spain today, according to his team, but remains in hospital as he recovers from surgery. The 2008 World champion crashed badly last Wednesday, December 19th, as he descended the Coll de Rates climb near Parcent, Spain, on the penultimate day of the BMC Racing Team’s training camp. The 33-year-old suffered serious injuries that included a fractured left femur and rupturing his spleen; he underwent surgery the following evening to remove his spleen and reset his fractured leg, and has now passed an important milestone in his recovery.
“Every day I am getting better," he said. "Now it's easy.”
Since news of his crash was released, the Italian has been inundated with messages of support, via email, Twitter, and the team’s Facebook page.
“I am very happy because I have a lot of supporters, not only in Italy, but around the world,” he said. “A lot of people are thinking of me in this moment and I am very happy and appreciative of all of them.”
While he is out of intensive care, the BMC Racing Team chief medical officer Doctor Max Testa explained that there is no definite timetable set for the Ballan’s release.
“The doctors who are overseeing his care at the hospital saw enough improvement that he's been moved to a regular care room,” Testa said. “What's good is that he continues to get better each day and there have been no complications from the surgeries.”
Ballan’s season was originally scheduled to begin at the Santos Tour Down Under between January 20th and 27th; BMC Racing Team directeur sportif John Lelangue has confirmed that his place will be taken by compatriot Ivan Santaromita.