Stage 5 of the Giro d'Italia, "Donne," went relatively uneventful as a five-man breakaway group moved upstream, slowly but surely being pulled back by the sprinter teams. Then they were ready for a group sprint to the finish. However, a crash in Flamme Rouge brought down several sprinters and cost them a chance to fight for the stage win. Emma Norsgaard of the Movistar team was the hardest hit. Positioned behind Blanca Vas (Team SD Worx) and Silvia Zanardi (BePink), she had no chance to avoid the crash.

Norsgaard crossed the finish line with a sore right arm and was taken to the medical center complaining of wrist and shoulder pain; X-rays showed no broken bones, but a decision on whether the Danish sprinter will continue the race will be made on the morning of stage 6.

"X-rays at the medical center near the finish of stage 5 showed no fractures in Emma Norsgaard's right arm. Her continuation in the race depends on the next few hours and the decision will be carried over until Wednesday morning," Movistar posted on Instagram late Tuesday.

Vass was the first rider to fall, causing a domino effect behind her. Riders jostled for position on a high-speed run-in, and just before the road narrowed slightly due to a barrier protecting the kilometer banner, a small move by final stage winner Elisa Balsamo (Trek-Segafredo) caused Vas to lose her balance. This caused Balsamo, the Hungarian champion, to dive toward the barrier. Vas tried to save the situation by leaning on Arlenis Sierra (Movistar Team), but it was already too late. Zanardi, Norsgaard, Elisa Longo Borghini (Trek Segafredo), Martina Fidanza (Serratigit WNT), Letizia Borghesi (EF Education, TIBCO, SVB), Caroline Baul, Aline Seitz (both Roland Coggies Edelweiss Team) also fell, Tereza Neumannover (Liv Racing Exstra), Milagro Mena (Servetto-Machimo Beltrami TSA), Elena Cecchini (Team SD Works), Alice Maria Arzuffi (Valcar -Travel & Services), Inga Cecchiglione (Aromitalia - Basso Bike - Vaiano). Amalie Dideriksen (Trek-Segafredo) and Neve Bradbury (Canyon-SRAM) managed to stay upright but had to stop completely. Most of the racers finished the race uninjured or with minor injuries.

"The crash in the finale did not distract from the sprint. I heard on the radio that she had crashed. Then I saw her cross the finish line and was very relieved. She looks okay and I hope the same for the rest of the field," said stage winner Balsamo. Balsamo suffered bruises and abrasions, while Baul took a blow to the head. Both will be able to start the sixth stage, the team said.