Giro d'Italia Donne: Elisa Longo Borghini ruled out of Giro Donne after nasty crash on Stage 5 descent

Annemiek van Vleuten and Elisa Longo Borghini crashed on Stage 5 of the 2023 Giro Donne. Van Vleuten was able to get up quickly and go in pursuit of the leader, eventually finishing second, but Longo Borghini was more shaken, coming home over five minutes after the winner, Antonia Niedermaier. Longo Borghini's team Lidl-Trek confirmed that she would not be racing in Stage 6.

Elisa Longo Borghini (Lidl-Trek) will not start Stage 6 of the Giro Donne after crashing at the end of Stage 5, ruling her out of the race.

Longo Borghini fell through a hairpin corner on the final descent, but she did get back on her bike and finished the stage, over five minutes down on general classification rival Annemiek van Vleuten (Movistar).

Once the stage concluded, Longo Borghini was taken to a nearby hospital for a medical check for concussion and it was confirmed that she sustained contusions and abrasions, but no fractures.

Giro d'Italia Women

'There's no words really' Imperious Van Vleuten takes Stage 7 win

00:01:03

|

06/07/2023 at 14:26

Longo Borghini, who became both Italy's road race and time-trial champion last month, lost her podium placing and finished more than seven minutes behind stage winner Antonia Niedermaier (Canyon-SRAM).

She slipped from second place in the general classification to 17th and eight minutes and 18 seconds behind overall leader Van Vleuten.

On Wednesday, her team Lidl-Trek confirmed the Italian has shown "no sign of concussion" but will not race in Stage 6.

• Niedermaier takes Stage 5 win as Van Vleuten and Longo Borghini both crash on descent
• Philipsen doubles up in crash-marred finish to Stage 4

The statement said: "She had a good night and checks performed this morning show no sign of concussion.

"However, she is still in some considerable pain, and for this reason, with regret, the Team believes the right decision is for her not to start today’s stage of Giro Donne."

Van Vleuten more than double her lead in the general classification after Stage 5. Niedermaier's career-best riding saw her move into second place.

An impressive recovery from Veronica Ewers ensured she retained the third podium place by more than 40 seconds.

'Really, really happy!' - Niedermaier reacts on historic win at Giro Donne

Video credit: TNT Sports

- - -

Stream the 2023 Giro Donne and the rest of the cycling season live on Eurosport and discovery+.

Giro d'Italia Women

Van Vleuten wins Stage 7 with classy attack to extend lead in pink

06/07/2023 at 15:21

Giro d'Italia Women

'What a champion she is!' - Watch the finish to Stage 6 as Van Vleuten takes victory

00:01:49

|

05/07/2023 at 14:07

Giro d'Italia Women

Van Vleuten powers away from rivals in style to take Stage 6 and secure grip on pink

05/07/2023 at 15:44