Keagan Girdlestone “has to win the biggest challenge of his life now”‚ his mother told TMG Digital on Monday as she awaited an update on the injured cyclist’s condition. The 19-year-old Dimension Data rider was on Sunday night reported to be in a critical condition after getting “out of theatre and in recovery” after being injured during the Coppa della Pace race in Italy.The accident – which involved a collision with a car on the route - was so serious that the race was immediately cancelled.“He's a fighter‚” Desere Girdlestone said from New Zealand on Monday morning. “He has to win the biggest challenge of his life now.“The latest is that he had surgery - was in recovery and still critical.”She said Keagan had “lost a lot of blood”.“He's fighting for his life right now. We're waiting for another update this morning.”Reports that the accident had cost Keagan his life circulated widely on social media and cycling forums.“To say we were gutted to read reports on social media about his passing is an understatement‚” said Desere.“We just had to believe that it was not true and wait for official news from his team.“Who started the rumour or thought it their place to post it is beyond my comprehension.“We are grateful for all the message of support and need all the prayers and positivity we can get for our boy.”One of those messages of support came from two-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome‚ who tweeted via ‏@chrisfroome: “Seems there were some incorrect reports! @Keagan_vtc is in a stable but critical condition‚ thoughts are with him. Keep fighting!”Although what caused the accident is still unclear‚ Cyclingnews quoted race director Raffaele Babini as saying: “We had covered 105km of racing. It was 16.20. The boy had fallen into a downhill section and was a strong recovery to return to the group.“Apparently‚ after the first time‚ which was in the vicinity of a hill‚ a team car has slowed sharply and the guy‚ who was at full speed‚ crashed violently against the car‚ breaking through the rear window of the car‚ getting serious facial injuries. I cannot say more because they are still under investigation by the security forces.”It is Keagan’s first year on the newly formed Dimension Data continental team.– TMG Digital..