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Spanish cyclist Pedro Horrillo was placed in an induced coma on Saturday and described as being in a serious condition after crashing badly during the eighth stage of the Tour of Italy from Morbegno to Bergamo.

The 34-year-old crashed on the descent of the Culmine di San Pietro mountain about 70km into the 209km race and was airlifted to hospital in Bergamo.

“His condition is serious, but stable,” said Rabobank team doctor Dr Leinders who added that Horrillo lost blood and suffered multiple fractures.

“The trauma to the throat is complicated. The most urgent thing to treat his breathing difficulties. He will be kept in a coma for 24 hours. The good news is that a scan revealed there had been no brain damage.”