Former winner Alberto Contador started the seventh stage of the Giro d'Italia despite dislocating his shoulder in a heavy crash.
The 32-year-old Spaniard, who took the race leader's pink jersey following Wednesday's fifth stage, was a doubt for the start in Grosseto after injuring himself in a mass crash during the sprint finish in Castiglione della Pescaia.
The 2008 Giro winner was in so much pain following Thursday's stage that he couldn't put on the race leader's jersey when presented with it on the award podium.
He underwent X-ray and ultrasound tests following the stage.
However, following that Contador's spokesman Jacinto Vidarte said: “He's going to try and start with a bandage to support his arm.
“Nothing is broken. It's not a fall as serious as that at the Tour de France last year.”
Contador, the reigning Vuelta a Espana champion, was forced out of the Tour last year after a heavy fall on the 10th stage when he lost control of his bike on a speedy downhill section.
He fractured his tibia in that fall but was still able to come back two months later to win his third Vuelta crown.
Friday's Giro stage is the longest of this year's race at 264km, ending in Fiuggi. – AFP