Deceuninck-QuickStep's doctor, Ivan Van Mol, gave a positive prognosis for hospitalized sprinter Fabio Jacobsen, four days after his horrific crash at the Tour de Pollogne.

Jacobsen suffered a brutal facial injury when he was rammed into the barriers by Jumbo-Visma sprinter Dylan Groenewegen in the closing stages of the first stage. He is likely to return to the race, but Van Mol said there is "no deadline."

"I have to say that he is in very good condition, especially considering the severity of his accident," Van Mol told Sporza (open in new tab). [There are no abnormalities in his vital organs. His consciousness is clear. He cannot speak yet, but he communicates via text messages.

"We assume so. But I don't dare to stick to a deadline," he added when asked about Jacobsen's prospects for returning to the race.

Jacobsen, 23, suffered a shattered palate and trachea and broken bones in his face in the crash.

Van Mol said Jacobsen could be transferred to his native Netherlands later in the week, adding that the main remaining concern is aesthetic and muscular damage to his face.

"I think I could be transferred to Holland at the end of this week," Van Mol said.

"Our only concern is that there is a little or a lot of aesthetic damage. This could also apply to the activity of the muscles around the mouth.

"He relies on information from me and his doctors and we are positive on all fronts. And he has hope for recovery."

Jumbo Wisma has been placed on UCI (International Cycling Union) disciplinary proceedings pending against a Dutch rider who deviated from the line on the downhill to Katowice.

Meanwhile, the riders' union, the CPA, is demanding standardization of barriers at the finish, and Dečuninck-Quick Step boss Patrick Lefevere has threatened legal action against Groenewegen.