Italian cyclist Debora Silvestri was taken to hospital after a horrific-looking crash during the women's Milan-San Remo one-day classic on Saturday. The incident happened on the descent down the famous Cipressa climb, less than 20 kilometres from the end of the 156-kilometre route.
With 18 kilometres to go, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney went down hard in a tight corner, crashing into a metal guardrail, and the Polish national champion took down several riders with her. Several more were unable to avoid the downed riders, with at least two hitting Niewiadoma-Phinney while she was on the ground.
Debora Silvestri of Laboral Kutxa-Fundacion Euskadi hit the downed Canyon-SRAM star, sending her catapulting over the guardrail and falling several metres onto a road below. Silvestri has confirmed she suffered five broken ribs and a micro-fracture to her shoulder blade after her heavy crash. Silvestri's team said the 27-year-old was conscious as she was transported.
Two of the favourites for the race, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney and Kim Le Court-Pienaar, were also involved in the crash. Niewiadoma-Phinney was unable to continue, while Le Court-Pienaar remounted but finished in 99th place. Speaking after the race, Canyon-Sram Zondacrypto director of sport Rolf Aldag indicated that Niewiadoma-Phinney had avoided any major injury, saying his team members were looking after her and that he thinks she's going to be OK.
The crash reshaped the race dynamics in the final kilometres. The race concluded with a reduced bunch sprint on the Via Roma in San Remo, with Lotte Kopecky beating Noemi Rüegg to the line. It is a first WorldTour win for Kopecky since the Tour of Flanders last year.
Rib injuries are especially awkward for cyclists because recovery is rarely just about waiting for the bone to heal, with breathing, sleeping, riding position and basic comfort all becoming part of the problem. Silvestri's recovery timeline remains uncertain, but her immediate focus is on rehabilitation during a crucial period of the spring racing calendar.