After artificial coma and surgery marathon: UAE extends contract with Baroncini

Filippo Baroncini, the 25-year-old professional cyclist from UAE Team Emirates - XRG, was discharged from Milan's Niguarda Hospital on 2 September 2025. Almost a month after his heavy crash at the Tour of Poland on 6 August, the 2021 U23 World Champion can now continue his recovery at home. "It's a miracle. I didn't understand it straight away, but little by little I'm beginning to realise what happened," explained Baroncini in an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport. The Italian had crashed into a wall on a descent at around 60 kilometres per hour and suffered serious injuries. He was initially treated in a Polish hospital and later transferred by private plane to the Niguarda Hospital in Milan, where he had to undergo several complex operations. Firstly, two vertebrae were fixed, followed by an eleven-hour operation by maxillofacial and neurosurgeons. Baroncini was in an induced coma for a fortnight and celebrated his 25th birthday in hospital on 26 August.

The accident and the first memories

Baroncini remembers the accident well: "I remember almost everything up to the point when I was unconscious. Diego Ulissi and another rider were riding in front of me. It was a difficult section of the descent because it was very narrow. At this point there was a pretty sharp bend and I hit the gravel. I crashed, bounced back and also injured my vertebrae. And I felt a lot of pain." The Italian reports that he had problems with his ribs immediately after the impact and had difficulty breathing. "I was able to move my legs well, so I was reassured in that respect. But I could feel that something was wrong with my face. Fortunately, nothing happened to my eyes by millimetres," says Baroncini. Despite the severity of the accident, he was lucky as he did not suffer any serious internal injuries, which will aid his recovery.

Support from family and team

The support of his family and his team was crucial for Baroncini during the difficult time in hospital. "My father Carlo rented a flat near the hospital, my mother Lara travelled back and forth from Romagna. My brother Matteo, who was also recently operated on here to repair a collarbone. Alessia, my girlfriend. And Luca Mazzanti, who has always accompanied me in my career," says the professional cyclist gratefully. His team UAE Team Emirates - XRG also stood by his side: "They were really great. They have always and constantly offered to help and have not let anything go to waste. The team-mates, including Tadej Pogacar, have always made me feel their support. And as for the support staff, I can tell you that team boss Mauro Gianetti and our president Matar came to visit me."

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Future plans and hopes

Filippo Baroncini should be encouraged by the contract extension that has just been announced. Baroncini and his team announced on Instagram that the 25-year-old will be racing for UAE Team Emirates - XRG for a further two years. Despite the difficult time that lies behind him and still awaits him, the Italian is optimistic about the future. "The extension of my contract for two more years is something very special for me and I thank the management for the trust they have placed in me - I look forward to repaying the team's trust with hard work and hope for further success in this family," he wrote in the announcement of the contract extension.