EF Education First's Rigoberto Urán is finally out of the hospital after crashing at the Vuelta a España at the end of August and hopes to be able to return to Colombia for the off-season before the end of October.

Uran spent nearly three weeks in a Barcelona hospital after a major crash on stage 6 of the Vuelta, while teammates Hugh Carthy, Nicolas Roche (Sunweb), and CCC team member Victor de la Parte also abandoned the race due to injuries. [The 32-year-old Colombian suffered a broken scapula and collarbone, broken ribs, and a punctured lung, the latter forcing him to be hospitalized for 20 days.

"I received a lot of support from everyone," Uran said on the EF Education First website. From friends, family, followers... I realized how much everyone cared.

"People who took the time to write messages to ....... It was a wonderful flow of energy. Things like this really help me. It gives me great motivation when I'm trying to get back on track."

Uran said he is waiting for the doctor's clearance before he can take a long-haul flight, but for now he is back in Monaco, his European home, and needs to return to Barcelona to continue his recovery.

"These past few weeks have been difficult. Pain, complications, and a long hospital stay. But not only that, it has been hard for my family as well."

"But everything is going well. It's getting better and better," Uran said. I'm in Monaco now, but I have to go back to Barcelona at the beginning of October, around the 10th, to see Dr. Meir, the surgeon. He's going to take another x-ray to see how it's healing and if I need surgery.

"After the doctor's visit in Barcelona, I will know more about when I can return to Colombia. For now, I can't take any long-haul flights while everything is recovering.

Uran also crashed and broke his collarbone in a French stage race, Paris-Nice, in March. Prior to crashing in the Vuelta, Uran was sixth overall in the Spanish Grand Tour.

EF Education First team doctor Rick Morgan provided some medical information about Uran's latest surgery.

"The previous clavicle plate was removed and replaced with another plate that spans almost the entire length of the clavicle," Dr. Morgan explained. 'We also put a metal plate on the left scapula to stabilize the shoulder and allow it to heal. But the scar is clean and healing well. You have to remember that the surgery took six hours. It was a big surgery,

"But Rigo is doing really well," he continued. 'The pain is under control and he's getting regular physical therapy. He receives what is called passive and active physical therapy with a therapist. [The main focus is to] get the shoulder back to full range of motion and improve muscle strength. There is no particular rush to be able to ride a bike at this time, but I am not worried about not being fully healed."