On Saturday, March 21, 2026, Italian professional cyclist Debora Silvestri was involved in a significant crash during the inaugural women’s Milano-Sanremo Donne.
The incident occurred on the technical descent of the Cipressa climb with less than 20 kilometers remaining in the race.
The pile-up began when Polish rider Kasia Niewiadoma fell in a fast, blind corner on the 156-kilometer course.
Following riders were forced to brake suddenly, leading to a chain reaction in the high-speed section of the descent.
Silvestri, a 27-year-old riding for Laboral Kutxa. Fundación Euskadi, attempted to avoid the initial collision.
During the maneuver, she lost control of her bicycle and was launched over a roadside guardrail, falling several meters onto a lower roadway.
Race medical teams and emergency services reached Silvestri quickly at the scene.
She remained conscious throughout the rescue operation and during her subsequent transport to a nearby hospital for emergency evaluation.
The incident gained significant attention on social media platforms like X, where footage of the fall circulated among cycling enthusiasts.
Some observers criticized the decision of other riders in the group not to stop and assist the fallen athlete.
Medical examinations confirmed that Silvestri sustained five broken ribs and a micro-fracture to her shoulder blade.
Her team confirmed that her condition is stable and that she did not suffer any life-threatening injuries during the fall.
Silvestri provided a personal update through her Instagram account shortly after the race concluded.
She noted that while the injuries were serious, she felt fortunate that the outcome was not more severe and expressed her intention to return to competition.
Laboral Kutxa, Fundación Euskadi released a follow-up statement on March 22, stating that the rider remains under medical observation.
The team indicated that her recovery is evolving favorably under professional supervision at the hospital.
The Milano-Sanremo Donne is considered the first Monument classic of the women's professional season.
The race continued to its conclusion despite the crash, which briefly overshadowed the final stages of the event.