Elisa Longo Borghini could have dropped from second to 3rd on the general in the course of the remaining stage of the La Vuelta Femenina, however remains to be strolling away from the primary a part of the season glad and with the lead within the Women’s WorldTour.
The Italian champion entered the Spanish tour as co-leader with Gaia Realini, after having delivered a run of podiums via the spring which included victory on the Tour of Flanders. However, it turned out to not be a straightforward path via La Vuelta Femenina for the Lidl-Trek group, which misplaced Ellen van Dijk and Realini to crashes. That meant Longo Borghini, who already a tiring strong block of racing behind her, was left to attempt to defend second with a depleted squad and with out her key climbing ally.
“I used to be not at my easiest degree, however I fought exhausting with my teammates as we did consider till the very finish that we may preserve the second place,” stated Longo Borghini in a group media launch. “In the top, it wasn’t doable and I completed third. This is sport – typically you win, typically you lose.
“But, third place within the Vuelta is just not a nasty outcome, hey? Everyone was tremendous supportive, so thanks to my teammates and the workers for his or her work. It’s unhappy to lose the second place, however I did my 100%, and what else can I do? You need to smile, it’s nonetheless an excellent outcome,” stated the rider after taking to the ultimate general podium of the race for a 3rd time, having come second on the rising race in each 2022 and 2020.
This time Longo Borghini had moved as much as second general on the primary summit end of the race and held that runner-up spot proper via to the ultimate day, however then within the final kilometres of the eight-stage race it slipped away. On the ultimate climb Longo Borghini dropped off the tempo of a lead chase group that included her nearest rival on the GC, Riejanne Markus (Visma-Lease a Bike).
The Tour of Flanders winner fought on however crossed the road 27 seconds behind Markus, who additionally obtained an eight second bonus for ending third. That meant the Visma-Lease a Bike secured the runner-up spot, 1:49 behind winner Demi Vollering (SD Worx-Protime) and 11 seconds forward of Longo Borghini in third.
“I don’t suppose I made any mistake,” stated Longo Borghini. “I simply gave my 100% and that is what I obtained.”
Third general at La Vuelta Femenina and two stage podiums, nevertheless, weren’t the one issues Longo Borghini swept up in Spain so as to add to her early season tally, which even earlier than the Grand Tour had already included seven podiums and three wins.
“I’m within the purple jersey as chief of the UCI Women’s WorldTour, and that signifies that I’ve been very constant throughout my Spring,” stated Longo Borghini, who took the highest spot on the top-tier collection leaderboard from Lotte Kopecky (SD Worx-Protime). “I’m glad with my first a part of the season. Now it’s time to relaxation, reset and restart pondering of the second a part of the season.”
That is prone to embrace two extra Grand Tours for Longo Borghini, and two extra possibilities to work her manner again up the general podium.