Grillo's condition improving

Italian sprinter Paride Grillo is expected to leave hospital next week after suffering severe bruising and a broken nose in a car crash on New Year's Day. The 25 year-old, who rides for Professional Continental team CSF Group-Navigare, underwent CAT and MRI scans to determine whether any brain damage had been sustained - fortunately both tests were negative.

"The rider's father told us that Paride has been transferred from the intensive care unit to a more relaxed one," said team director Roberto Reverberi. "Now we must wait for a complete diagnosis to decide a schedule for Paride's recovery. Since there is no serious damage, I hope he can restart training in 20-25 days."

Grillo's BMW Z4 Coupe collided with an electrical box near his home in Como, northern Italy, completely destroying the vehicle. "I saw the pictures of the car and I was really shocked," Grillo said. "The hours between dinner on December 31 and 3pm New Year's Day are like a black hole in my memory. I woke up with a face full of scratches. My parents told me that was due to the firemen who had to cut me out of the car, so I really want to thank them."

He was scheduled to travel to Malaysia for the Tour de Langkawi on February 9, but will likely remain in Italy and commence racing at a later date.