Paracyclist and former racing driver Alex Zanardi has been released from the hospital 18 months after sustaining serious head injuries in an accident with a truck while competing in the Ovietivo Tricolore relay race.

The 55-year-old, who competed in Formula 1, touring cars, and CART and lost both legs in a racing accident in 2001, has competed in paracycling since 2007, winning 12 world titles and four Paralympic gold medals.

His wife, Daniela, announced his release from the hospital earlier this week in an interview with BMW, the car company of which Zanardi is an ambassador.

"The important step is that Alex was discharged a few weeks ago and is now back home with us.

"Even if in the future he will be scheduled for a temporary stay at a special clinic for special rehabilitation.

Zanardi was participating in the Obiettivo Tricolore relay race with Daniele Bennati last June when he lost control on a downhill near Siena and collided with an oncoming truck.

As a result of the crash, he sustained serious facial and head injuries and subsequently fell into a coma and underwent a series of neurosurgical and maxillofacial operations.

A year ago, Zanardi reportedly regained his vision and hearing and was able to respond non-verbally to those around him, and his rehabilitation, working with doctors, physical therapists, neurologists, and speech therapists, has continued this year.

"Recovery is a long process. 'The rehab program, led by doctors, physical therapists, neuropsychologists, and speech therapists, has allowed for steady progress. Of course, there are setbacks and they can still occur. Sometimes you have to take two steps backward to take one step forward. But Alex has proven time and again that he is a true fighter.

"The various programs that Alex did in the hospital are now continuing at home. During the week, a therapist works with him and performs physical, neurological, and logopedic (linguistic) exercises. As for his physical condition, he has made a lot of progress. Alex is getting stronger and stronger in his arms. In the hospital he spent most of his time in bed, but now he spends most of the day in a wheelchair with us. He only gets a little rest in the afternoon after lunch."

"We still can't predict how his recovery will progress. It is still a long and difficult road for Alex to tackle with fighting spirit. It will be a great help to him and to us to know that he has a lot of support from us as well as from the doctors and therapists who are treating him intensively. Our friends are always there for us. A big grazie to all who send good thoughts and power to Alex"

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In July, the investigation into the accident was closed by an investigating judge, who dismissed charges of negligent homicide against the truck driver. Prosecutors had asked the judge to do so, stating that there was "no causal connection between the driver's conduct and the traffic accident."

Zanardi's family disagreed with the ruling, arguing that Zanardi's handcycling and subsequent loss of control was in response to the truck partially crossing the center line of the road (about 40 cm).

This week also brought good news for Swiss cycling agent Johnny Carrera. He was released from intensive care three weeks after a truck reversed onto the A4 highway near Milan and hit his car.

Carrera, who along with his brother Alex works for A&J All Sports and is represented by Tadei Pogachar, Vincenzo Nibali, and Elisa Balsamo, awoke from an induced coma earlier this month after suffering fractured ribs, a perforated lung, and a broken shoulder in the accident.

He is now able to breathe on his own without intubation and continues his recovery at the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center at Milan's Hospital Niguarda.