Luca Wackermann of Vini Zabou Blado-KTM was taken to the hospital after an accident in the last kilometer of stage 4 of the Giro d'Italia at Villa Franca Tirrena.

The Italian and teammate Etienne Van Empel were caught in a moving barrier about 800 meters from the sprint stage line. Team general manager Angelo Chitracca told an Italian television station on a post-race talk show that the helicopter flew too low and the barrier blew across the road and into the path of the riders.

Van Empel was able to get back on his bike and finish the stage, but Wackerman lost consciousness and was taken to the hospital. A team press release issued Tuesday evening described Wackerman's injuries.

"First reports from the University Hospital of Messina indicate that Wackerman has a concussion to the head, a nasal bone fracture, multiple contusions to the face and lumbosacral area, contusions to the lips and dental arch, lacerations to the left eyebrow, chin, and right knee, multiple bruises to the arms and legs, and a suspected fracture to the lumbosacral area; another X-ray will be taken."

"Wackerman will spend the night in the hospital under observation, missing his chance to live his long-held pink dream.

A representative for race organizer RCS Sport told Cyclingnews that the roadside barriers were tied up and that the wind was light, suggesting that the RAI helicopter was to blame.

Francesco Frassi of Vini Zabou said that the cause has not yet been fully identified, adding that the team's worst fears about Wackerman's injury were over.

"They said the barrier suddenly moved. 'Was it because the helicopter was flying too low, or was it because the wind had picked up?'

"Fortunately, Luke Wackerman came by ambulance. I spoke to him on the phone, he was fine and calm. He didn't remember anything about what had happened. He didn't seem to have any broken bones, but we are waiting for the results of the tests at the hospital."

Wackerman and Van Empel were the only two riders affected and were photographed lying on the ground beside their bikes shortly after Groupama-FDJ sprinter Arnaud Demaret scored a stage win.

Van Empel later said on Twitter (open in new tab) that he only suffered a "small cut on his finger," adding that the barrier "came out of nowhere" and jumped into the group he was riding with.

The loss of Wackermann is a major blow to the Italian team, which is entering the Giro as a wild card; the 28-year-old, who won the Tour de Limousin in August and finished fifth on the second stage to Agrigento, is one of the team's top riders in Italy.

Vini Zabou will now look to riders like Giovanni Visconti, who finished second on Mount Etna, and Marco Fraporti, who was in the breakaway on stage 4, to deliver results in the next 17 days of racing.