CYCLING starlet Edo Maas has been paralysed from the waist down after a horrific downhill crash sparked safety pleas.
Doctors have told Dutch rider Maas, 19, he is unlikely to walk again following a collision with a car that mistakenly entered the Piccolo Lombardia course in Italy on October 6.
His team Sunweb today demanded race chiefs ensure racers are better protected after Maas was left unconscious for several days, with fractures to his back, neck and face.
Maas is now conscious and “processing his diagnosis”.
And Sunweb want the “devastating tragedy” to heighten focus on safety.
They said in a statement: “Edo is now fully conscious and has been awake for a couple of days, and is responding well to family and visiting team mates.
“The fractures to his back and the injuries on his face required multiple intensive surgeries over the last week, all of which were successful.
‘HOPE PREVAILS’
“Edo is currently processing the diagnosis that the fracture in his back has led to paraplegia, a loss of nerve feeling in his legs.
“At this moment, it remains unlikely that functionality in his legs will ever return, but fighting power and hope prevails.”
Maas, who is also a physiotherapy student, suffered his injuries as he descended the Italian under-23 race Il Piccolo Lombardia.
The Sunweb statement added: “Whilst this won’t undo this devastating tragedy, we once again call upon our governing body (UCI), to prioritise all of their time and resources on securing and ensuring the implementation of safe race conditions for teams and their riders.
“This week has been extremely difficult for the Team Sunweb family, of which Edo and his loved ones are and will always remain a central part.
“We send all of our strength and prayers to them at this difficult time.”