Jay Vine has revealed that he will start cycling outdoors as part of his recovery from a spinal cord injury sustained in a high・speed crash in Ituria, Basque Province, 7 weeks ago. 

According to Dr. Adrian Rotunno, Medical Director of UAE Team Emirates, doctors removed the brace on Vine's neck after scans showed his bones had healed enough to start a "gentle outdoor ride."

"The interval CT scan shows proper bone healing, so the neck brace can be removed at this stage. The spine is now stable enough to start with a simple, gentle outdoor ride aimed at improving bike posture and in preventing neuromuscular atrophy.

"This process has been very carefully controlled and Jay still has weeks of intensive rehabilitation to achieve. But this is the first big step up he has taken in 7 weeks and is good for him from a mental and physical point of view.

Vine was involved in a serious high-speed crash that occurred on the descent from Mount Oraeta in Stage 4 and took part in a race of about 36km. 

The crash affected at least 10 riders, including Primošrogliš (Bora-Hansgrohe), Jonasvingegaard (Visma-leasing bicycles) and Remco Evenepoel (Soudal-QuickStep).

At the time of the accident, UAE team Emirates confirmed in a medical update that Vine suffered multiple fractures to his vertebrae, including cervical and 2 thoracic vertebral fractures, but no surgical treatment was required.

He was hospitalized for 9 days for neurological observation, but was later confirmed to have a stable spinal cord injury. At that time, the medical team said he would have to wear a neck brace for six weeks, but he could begin general body rehabilitation the following week of the incident.

UAE Team Emirates has not confirmed when Vine will recover enough to start racing again.