'I landed in a ditch' – Marianne Vos forced into desperate chase after late crash in hectic Vuelta Femenina run-in

Marianne Vos, the Visma-Lease a Bike veteran, endured a dramatic incident during the Vuelta Femenina's Stage 5, crashing on a slippery descent inside the final 10km. Despite the fall, which saw her land in a ditch, Vos remounted and, aided by her team, managed an impressive chase back to the peloton. She ultimately finished 15th, losing no time to the general classification contenders, a testament to her resilience and the team's swift response.

This incident, while seemingly minor in its GC impact, highlights the persistent dangers of technical descents in women's racing and Vos's enduring class. At 36, the multi-time world champion continues to be a formidable presence, having already secured a stage win in this year's Vuelta. Her ability to recover from such a mishap and rejoin the front group underscores her legendary bike handling and competitive spirit, reminding everyone why she remains a perennial favourite, even when the road bites back.

Vos's ditch-diving escape from disaster proves that even the greatest can be caught out, but few possess the grit to turn a significant spill into a mere footnote. One might say, some riders simply refuse to be counted out, even by gravity itself.