Spanish Pro Javier Oxtoa’s condition still remains serious, over a month after being hit by the car that killed his brother. The good news is that he’s now opened his eyes, moved his arms and has been taken off the mechanical ventilator.

He still remains in intensive care though, and the extent of the 2000 ‘Tour stage winner’s other injuries have still not been clarified.

Despite winning the final sprint of the longest stage of the Tirreno Adriatico, Rabobank’s Michael Boogerd won’t be riding the Milan-San Remo classic this weekend, as he’s saving himself mentally for the Liege – Bastogne – Liege and the Amstel Gold Race.

Axel Merckx is also out of the running as he still hasn’t recovered from the crash injuries that forced him out of the Paris Nice.