Dutch cyclist Edo Maas , a member of the Sunweb U23 team, has become paraplegic and has "little hope of recovering the use of his legs" after being hit by an official car of the Piccolo Lombardy - the promising version of the Tour from Lombardy - during the course of the test 10 days ago.

As explained by his team in a statement, the accident took place in the descent to the Madonna del Ghisallo, when the car was mistaken for the direction of movement and entered the full path of the race.

Maas, 19, was in a coma and, with serious injuries to his face and back, was transferred to a hospital in Milan where he underwent several operations. A few days ago he regained consciousness but "his back fracture resulted in paraplegia." "It seems unlikely that one day he will walk again," the German team added, pointing out: "But Evo's combative spirit must prevail over discouragement."

"Although it is too late, we must remind the International Cycling Union (UCI) once again of its obligation to use all its resources to ensure the safety of cyclists and equipment in all competitions, regardless of their age," The communiqué of the Sunweb sub-23 set ended.

Maas, who two years ago won the junior test of the classic E3 Harelbeke and last year was fourth in the Paris-Roubaix junior, this year he had already participated in absolute tests such as the Tour of Alsace or the Tour of Slovakia.

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