Italian rider Giovanni Visconti breaks leg in People's Choice Classic at 2014 Santos Tour Down Under

GIOVANNI Visconti hopes to be back racing at the Giro D'Italia in May after breaking his leg in a crash he described as "stupid".

GIOVANNI Visconti hopes to be back racing at the Giro D'Italia in May after breaking his leg in a crash he described as "stupid".

Visconti had an operation on a compound fracture of his right tibia at the Royal Adelaide Hospital on Monday after crashing into a barrier during lap six of the at the People's Choice Classic in Adelaide on Sunday night.

He had a permanent pin inserted in his leg in a 70-minute operation performed by surgeon Dr Robert Fassina.

Visconti recalled the four man pile up at the final King William Rd left hander onto Victoria Drive in detail.

"There was a stupid crash in front of me and I went a little bit wider to try to avoid it,'' said the Torino-born proud Sicilian.

"A rider slipped beneath me and he hit the advertising hoarding which he destroyed.

"I was thrown over his bike and my leg was caught under the iron barrier.

"I hit the barrier and then I saw bone ... it was sticking out of my skin.

"I needed water because I was close to fainting, that corner was very tight I had nowhere to go.

"But I can't remember the riders in the crash."

But the next three days are crucial for the three-time Italian road champion.

Visconti says medicos will monitor his health closely before he is allowed a leave pass from the RAH.

He then plans to join his Movistar colleagues for the rest of the race.

"The risk is infection (to the leg),'' Visconti said.

"I want to get back with the team, this is the worst injury I have ever had, I have broken a collarbone but this injury will make my stronger."

But the prognosis for the Italian two-time 2013 stage winner in the Giro D'Italia was the best possible scenario after it was initially thought Visconti's entire year was over.

Visconti is expected to return to bike training in about eight weeks and is expecting to start rehab in three weeks.

"I want to be ready for the Giro but if not the Tour de France and the Vuelta Espana are definite goals,'' Visconti said.

"I was planning on a very good start to the year.

"This is my third Tour Down Under, I first came here in 2005 and then last year and I have always enjoyed it."

But the 31-year-old Italian did become emotional when talking about well wishers including his wife and children who are in Italy and fielding a call from former BMC Racing rider Alessandro Ballan.

Ballan was last week handed a two-year doping ban by Italy's Olympic Committee (CONI).

"I was really happy to hear from my family and all the other riders that have talked to me about recovering quickly,'' Visconti said.

"And the call from Ballan, that made a big impression on me.

"He's having his own troubles and he just told me to remain strong.

"I'll be defiant so will he (Ballan) this won't beat me."