Italian cyclist Lorenzo Gobbo suffers punctured lung after being impaled on huge wooden spike

Italian cyclist Lorenzo Gobbo has suffered a horror injury after impaling himself on a huge wooden spike at the European Under-23 and Junior track Championships.

The 17-year-old has suffered a punctured lung with a three-hour operation required following the horrendous incident in Ghent, Belgium.

The half-metre splinter punctured through his back and out the front of his torso.

The dangerous splinter by the track was caused after a collision between a group of riders saw a pedal lodge itself into the floor to lift up the spike.

Gobbo remains in intensive care but has showed promising signs as he begins his recovery.

Chief executive Cycling Vlaanderen Frank Glorieux provided an update on Gobbo following emergency surgery at Jan Palfijn hospital.

"After the operation he is recovering well but stays in intensive care to prevent infection," Glorieux told BBC Sport.

"He said he would have won the race rather than make the newspapers this way.

"He could still laugh, but he doesn't want to ride on the track for the time being.

"He will have to find his courage.

"He should recover completely, but there is a long recovery time ahead for him."