Italy's Wackermann has withdrawn from the race after the bizarre incident which saw both he and Etienne van Empel of the Vini Zabu-KTM team involved in the major crash towards the end of the stage which left Wackerman with numerous injuries including a suspected fractured back, as well as concussion, a broken nose, multiple cuts to his face and significant bruising on his arms and legs. 

"Wackermann will spend the night in the hospital kept under observation and losing that chance to live a dream vanished because of an episode that could have brought some heavier consequences," a statement from the Italian team said.

"Wackermann was sent to the hospital, he was barely conscious," team boss Andrea Citracca said to Italian television. 

"The helicopter was flying too low, the movement of the air blew up the barriers. It is not clear if he has broken his pelvis. The barriers were not tied properly."