Mauricio Soler update

Mauricio Soler is described as being in a stable but serious condition in hospital today following the horrific crash 11km into yesterday's Tour de Suisse Stage 6, in which he is believed to have lost control after hitting a kerb, coming over the handlebars and hitting street furniture. A spectator, hit by either Soler or his bike, is also believed to have been injured.

Soler, an excellent climber, had been tipped for a successful season in 2011. A series of injuries have prevented the promising talent from achieving his potential so far.

The 28-year-old Columbian, who dedicated his Stage 2 win last Sunday to team mate Xavier Tondo who was killed earlier this year in a tragic accident when he became trapped between his car and automatic garage door, had been tipped for a good result in this year's Tour de France after  series of injuries which have prevented him from taking part in his first full tour since 2007, when he came 11th overall and won the King of the Mountains competition. He was forced to miss last year's event due to a knee injury sustained in the Critérium du Dauphiné.

Soler, a respected mountain stage specialist, was in the running for victory yesterday in a stage featuring the fearsome 1000m ascent of Triesenberg. Doctors say that it is at present impossible to comment on his chances of a full recovery due to the severity of his injuries which include multiple fractures, haematomas and bleeding of the brain. This is the second serious accident in professional cycling so far this year following the horrific crash on the Passo del Bocco in last month's Giro d'Italia which caused the death of promising QuickStep rider Wouter Weylandt, bringing demands for safety regulations to be tightened up in the sport.