Italian para-cyclist Alex Zanardi has been moved from the intensive care unit after his condition "improved significantly clinically" two months after he was seriously injured in a collision with a truck (opens in new tab) during a hand cycling race in Siena.

The four-time Paralympic gold medalist and former Formula 1 driver suffered serious head injuries in the collision during the "Ovietivo Tricolore" relay race and subsequently underwent four separate neurological and maxillofacial surgeries after falling into a coma.

Initially treated at the University Hospital of Siena, Zanardi has been in Milan's San Raffaele Hospital since July. According to a statement released by the hospital on Wednesday, his condition is improving.

"After a period of hospitalization and intensive care, the patient has made significant clinical improvements. For this reason, he is now receiving semi-intensive care in the Neuroanimation Unit directed by Prof. Luigi Beretta."

"The patient is now in a semi-intensive care unit under the direction of Prof. Luigi Beretta.

Zanardi last underwent surgery on July 27, a "delicate neurosurgical procedure" to treat complications from the head trauma sustained in the accident.

Prior to the accident, Zanardi was participating in the "Obiettivo Tricolore" race on the open road in Tuscany with a group of cyclists that included former professional athlete Daniele Bennati. Zanardi lost control on a downhill and collided with a truck traveling in the opposite direction.

Local prosecutors opened an investigation into the incident, looking into the organization of the race and the safety measures in place at the time.

In recent weeks, Formula 1 teams have placed "#ForzaAlex" stickers on their cars in support of Zanardi, who raced from 1991 to 1999. He was also a two-time CART champion

before crashing at the Lausitzring in Germany in 2001 and amputating both legs.

Zanardi returned to competition in the World Touring Car Championships in 2005; since 2007 he has won 12 Paracycling World Championship titles and four gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 London and Rio de Janeiro Olympics.