Vuelta a Espana: Kris Boeckmans set to wake from induced coma

Kris Boeckmans won the World Ports Classic earlier this year

Belgian Kris Boeckmans is expected to wake up from an induced coma within 48 hours after scans showed he did not suffer brain injuries in a crash at the Vuelta a Espana on Saturday.

The Lotto-Soudal rider, 28, suffered concussion in the accident, which happened on the eighth stage with about 50km left and five riders had to pull out of the race.

He also had facial and rib fractures.

However, the team said there had been "a small positive evolution".

"At the moment Kris is still in an induced coma," team doctor Servaas Binge said.

"From now on the sedative medication will be reduced gradually, so we can expect he'll wake up within 24 to 48 hours."

Jasper Stuyven of Belgium won the stage but he too later abandoned the race after breaking his wrist in the crash.

The Trek Factory Racing rider said: "After the finish my wrist was getting more and more painful. Unfortunately, the X-rays confirmed it is broken and that my Vuelta finishes."