End-of-year message from Baroncini, straight from the heart: 'It was that feeling, if only for a moment'
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Follow us on GoogleFilippo Baroncini (UAE Emirates-XRG) has looked back on his 2025 year in an emotional message, which he will not soon forget. The Leuven 2021 Under-23 world champion won the Baloise Belgium Tour, but most importantly, he crashed very hard at the Tour de Pologne and had to spend some time in a coma afterwards.
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'A year I will remember for the rest of my life. Especially that August 6th," the 25-year-old rider began his story. Baroncini fell hard that day in the Tour de Pologne, sustaining serious injuries to his face that had to be repaired in an operation lasting no less than 11 hours. "His face was deformed," UAE CEO Mauro Gianetti said.
'You can't imagine what oral surgeon Gabriele Canzi and surgeon Davide Colistra were able to do. They did something incredible in an operation of more than 11 hours,' Gianetti said at the time. 'Medical science today has made incredible progress. Things are being done that were unthinkable just a few years ago. I don't want to go into details, but I assure you: they have done something extraordinary.'
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Baroncini looks back emotionally on tough period
'They were difficult times, full of ups and downs,' Baroncini now writes of them himself. 'Moments that leave a deep impression, both physically and mentally. Moments that hurt, but at the same time teach you more than any victory. They teach you that the truly beautiful things in life are the essential things: the love of your family, your girlfriend, your friends. They teach you that life itself is beautiful and must be lived to the fullest, because it could be over at any moment.'
'The biggest scare was not the pain, nor the broken bones. It was the feeling, if only for a moment, that I had left a void in my family. That was the hardest blow, the one that made me saddest. Because pain passes, wounds heal.... but the thought of hurting someone you love breaks you inside," the Italian said.
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Baroncini will race again in 2026
Baroncini was already at the UAE Emirates-XRG training camp and will 'just' race again in 2026. 'Today, however, there is a new rebirth. Life goes on, with immense gratitude and with a strength I perhaps didn't even know I possessed. Unfortunately, I have had to show resilience many times in my career. Perhaps too much.
'But I won't give up. Not even this time. I stand up again, silently, with a smile. Because I continue to do what I love to do. Because I still want to make a mark, and not just be the one who wears scars on his skin. Because I still have hunger, dreams and a long way to go. It can't rain forever. See you in 2026,,, with more determination than ever. Thank you to everyone who has supported me these past months, with a word, a presence, a hug. I will never forget. ❤️," the Italian concluded.
Tom van der Salm (27) comes from the charming town of Zeilberg (Deurne) in the Netherlands and has been working as editor-in-chief & journalist at IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, In de Leiderstrui, since 2019. He travels with the peloton from the Tour de France to the AlUla Tour and from the World Championships in Rwanda or Canada to the Zilvermeercross in Mol. In his spare time he enjoys playing football, mountain biking, running, walking with his Labrador/Stabyhoun, investing, holidays, (specialty) beers, reading, cooking and watching sports & documentaries!
Contact: [email protected]
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Latest Comments
- - I’m still learning how cyclocross works: when he says he messed up the start at the Europeans, can a bad start really make that much difference?patriciaw14-11-2026
- - Love that he’s honest about the pressure. Hopefully he can carry this form through the winter.lindae14-11-2026
- - Beating different competition is the key now. Nys is already in the mix, and Van der Poel could make the next step a much tougher one.jennifer1914-11-2026
- - About time—Mason’s been knocking on the door for years. That Niel win could really open things up for him.cadencekingm14-11-2026
- I’m still learning how cyclocross works—does leading the Superprestige mean Mason is top of that race series, rather than the World Cup? Either way, winning in Belgium sounds like a massive result.cadencekingm13-11-2026
- Calling Onley a contender for an overall Tour win already feels a bit premature, especially after the injury setbacks. Still, the depth of talent is exciting.robert6513-11-2026
- Great to see Dickson’s route from triathlon to the WorldTour getting recognition. Scottish cycling has plenty to be proud of, and the 2027 Grand Départ could give the next generation a real lift.patriciaw13-11-2026
- The article makes a good case for clubs and small teams doing the groundwork, rather than one big development pipeline. Thornley’s Vuelta time trials were seriously impressive too; missing a stage win by two seconds is brutal.davidm13-11-2026
- Mason winning in Niel is huge—beating that kind of Belgian field in the mud takes serious class. The Kelvingrove World Cup could be an unforgettable homecoming.breakawaybikerd13-11-2026
- I’m not sure how WorldTour licences work—could these reports affect whether the team gets one next year, or is that decision based on other criteria?velodromevirtuoso113-11-2026