Italian cyclist Debora Silvestri was taken to a hospital after a terrifying crash during the women´s Milan-San Remo one-day classic on Saturday.

The shocking incident happened towards the end of the race when several riders were involved in a pile-up and left on the ground. 

Silvestri arrived late to the incident, but in her efforts to avoid the crash, she tumbled over a roadside barrier headfirst in worrying scenes.

The Italian landed on a lower section of the road after falling several metres, and she lay stricken on the floor. 

Her team, Laboral Kutxa, released a statement shortly afterwards to provide an update on her condition.  

They said: ‘Debora Silvestri has suffered a fall on the Cipressa descent.

Italian cyclist Debora Silvestri was taken to a hospital after a terrifying crash on Saturday

In her efforts to avoid a pile-up, Silvestri (in pink bottom right) tumbled over a roadside barrier

‘She is conscious and on her way to the hospital to receive care.’

They later added: ‘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 went on to win the 156km race following the chaotic scenes, narrowly edging out Switzerland’s Noemi Ruegg in a sprint for the line.

However, despite her victory, the race was overshadowed by the incident and Lopecky reflected this with her comments as she said: ‘I hope everyone is okay.’

Two of the favorites 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.