Figueras & Sabaliaukas out of Coppi-Bartali

Lampre riders Giuliano Figueras and Marius Sabaliaukas are out of the Settimana Ciclistica Internazionale Coppi-Bartali after a serious crash near the finish line of yesterday's first stage.

Both riders were taken to Riccione Hospital and a subsequent statement by team doctor Carlo Guardascione described the extent of their injuries. "Giuliano Figueras has a compound fracture to the iliac crest of the left pelvic bone with a deep contused wound, also to the left side," said Dr Guardascione. "The cut needed 30 stitches. The healing period is estimated at 30 days. Giuliano was joined at the hospital by his wife Jaiza. He will be discharged probably tomorrow morning after another visit by the medical staff."

Sabaliaukas' condition is somewhat less serious. He was discharged after being examined and found to have "hairline fractures of the fourth finger of the left hand, with contused cuts to the third and fourth fingers of the left hand and a trauma injury to the right wrist." He is expected to be off the bike for a week.