A statement overnight from the Clinica Universidad de La Sabana in Bogotá made clear how serious the accident was when it said that surgeons had successfully “kept intact the neurological integrity and conserved the functionality of the segments involved”.

The statement added: “We will wait for his progress over the next 72 hours in the Intensive Care Unit to see the response to the course of treatment established for this high-energy trauma.

“We have immediately begun the rehabilitation process to achieve the best possible results with our patient.”

Ineos Grenadiers issued their own statement on Monday evening which did not give details of Bernal’s injuries, but did say he had been conscious when transferred to hospital by the team’s medical staff. “He is stable and undergoing further assessment,” the statement read.

Bernal’s team on Tuesday confirmed the extent of the injuries, saying: “Following yesterday’s training accident, Egan remains in a stable condition in intensive care after two successful surgeries.

“Egan suffered a fractured vertebrae, a fractured right femur, a fractured right patella, chest trauma, a punctured lung and several fractured ribs in the crash. Doctors were able to medically pin his right leg and stabilise the vertebrae fracture in two separate surgeries last night. He is now in an intensive care unit where other potential secondary injuries are being managed, as well as his body’s response to the trauma.

“The team would like to thank the medical staff at Clinica Universidad de La Sabana and everyone who has sent messages of support to Egan. All of our focus is on ensuring Egan is given the best possible care as he starts on his road to recovery.”

While the majority of Ineos Grenadiers’ squad trains in Europe, Bernal had remained in Colombia to prepare for the upcoming season, riding alongside a small group of team-mates that includes former Giro d’Italia champion Richard Carapaz.

Bernal, who won the 2019 Tour de France – becoming in the process the youngest winner of the yellow jersey in 110 years – took his second grand tour victory in last year’s Giro. He signed a new five-year contract with Ineos Grenadiers earlier this month, and had set out his ambitions to target the Tour again this summer.

Several riders and teams were quick to post messages of support to Bernal on social media, including multiple world champion Peter Sagan and young Belgian Remco Evenepoel, with whom Bernal did battle at last year’s Giro.