Italian Debora Silvestri broke five ribs and sustained a micro fracture to her shoulder in a serious crash during the women’s Milan-San Remo one-day classic.

The incident, in which the Laboral Kutxa rider went headfirst over a roadside barrier and fell several metres onto a lower section of road in trying to take avoiding action, happened on the descent of the famous Cipressa climb and involved a number of competitors.

Silverstri, 27, was taken to hospital following the crash.

She later posted on Instagram:, external “I feel quite good, five ribs broken and a micro fracture on shoulder – could be worse.

“Time to recover but no worries, I will come back.”

Poland’s Kasia Niewiadoma and Kim le Court, from Mauritius, were also involved in the pile-up.

Her Laboral Kutxa team, external said Silverstri was “conscious” when being taken to hospital after the incident.

They later added:, external “She will remain hospitalised for the next few hours under medical supervision, and further tests will be conducted to assess the extent of the injuries.”

Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky held off Switzerland’s Noemi Ruegg in a sprint for the line to win the 156km women’s race, with the men’s race in the first Monument of the season under way.

“I hope everyone is OK,” said Lopecky when she addressed the crash after the race.