Italian cyclist Debora Silvestri has been released from hospital six days after suffering a terrifying crash in Milan-Sanremo which left her needing respiratory support to treat a severe chest trauma.<\/p>\n
The 27-year-old had fallen descending the famous Cipressa climb when, unsighted by a blind corner, she rode into a prior crash involving race leaders Kasia Niewadoma and Kim Le Court<\/a>. Unable to react in time, she was catapulted over the guardrail headfirst, landing a service road some three metres below.<\/p>\n Silvestri was rushed to hospital in Sanremo after the crash, with her condition initially described as stable. Three days later, the team confirmed that she still needed respiratory support due to the scope of her injuries \u2014 diagnosed as several broken ribs, a fractured collar-bone, and a bruised left lung.<\/p>\n \u201cThe best news we could have received,\u201d read a statement from her Basque-based LABORALKutxa team, also shared on the rider\u2019s Instagram. \u201cAfter several days marked by caution and constant medical monitoring, Debora Silvestri has progressed favorably and can now continue her recovery outside the hospital.<\/p>\n \u201cAfter six days in the hospital, Debora has been discharged and is already on her way home, where she will continue her recovery process with her family and the support of the entire team.\u201d<\/p>\n A number of the top riders in the womens peloton were caught up in a crash of the descent that saw riders go over the guardrail in a horror fall.#SanremoWomen<\/a> | March 21 | SBS VICELAND + SBS On Demand pic.twitter.com\/WWuTvoUBqO<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 SBS Sport (@SBSSportau) March 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n On Wednesday, the rider had recovered enough to speak to Italian newspaper L\u2019Arena<\/a>, where she described her recollections of the crash for the first time.<\/p>\n \u201cThe pain is still severe, but I\u2019m feeling better,\u201d she said. \u201cThe first few days after the fall were the hardest; I couldn\u2019t get out of bed and was breathing with oxygen. Yesterday, I got out of bed for the first time and started taking a few steps. The pain, especially in my chest, is still severe, but I\u2019m recovering. The doctors tell me it will take patience.<\/p>\n \u201cI remember up to a certain point. We were on a steep descent, pushing hard. There was a collision up front, and some of my teammates fell. I had no room to avoid them. I braked sharply and lost control of the bike, ending up on the side road, beyond the guardrail. It all happened in an instant. When I stopped\u2026 I realized I was still there. And that was already a big deal.<\/p>\n \u201cBut I confess that looking back at the images wasn\u2019t easy. It was a shocking fall, I literally flew. I was very lucky with how it turned out.\u201d<\/p>\n Milan-Sanremo is one of cycling\u2019s biggest races and the first Monument of the spring season. The women\u2019s race spanned 156 kilometers along the north-western coast of Italy.<\/p>\n The race was eventually won in a sprint by Belgian superstar Lotte Kopecky, while Tadej Pogacar triumphed in the men\u2019s edition<\/a> after recovering from his own crash with 30km remaining.<\/p>\n