(CNN)Ex-Formula 1 driver and Paralympic champion Alex Zanardi has been transferred from hospital to a specialist neuro-rehabilitation center after suffering a horrific bicycle accident in June.
53-year-old Zanardi, who had both legs amputated after a racing accident almost 20 years ago, lost control of his handbike during a relay race in Tuscany, Italy.
Zanardi was then flown to the Santa Maria alle Scotte Hospital in Siena, where he underwent emergency neurological surgery that lasted three hours and was placed in an induced coma.
The hospital released a statement on Tuesday confirming Zanardi had been transferred once his sedation was finished.
“The stability of the general clinical condition and the neurological picture made it possible to transfer … to a specialized recovery and functional rehabilitation center,” it said.
“Alex Zanardi was therefore transferred today [Tuesday] to another facility.”
“Today a new path begins for Alex Zanardi,” added the general director of the hospital, Valtere Giovannini.
The Italian is an incredibly popular character. He had been training for this year’s Paralympics in Tokyo and was hoping to add to his impressive tally of gold medals.
Among the many messages of support, Pope Francis wrote him a letter as he continued his recovery in hospital. He praised Zanardi for living life to the fullest and for giving a “lesson in humanity”.
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