Elisa Longo Borghini could have dropped from second to 3rd on the general in the course of the last stage of the La Vuelta Femenina, however continues to be strolling away from the primary a part of the season glad and with the lead within the Ladies’s WorldTour.
The Italian champion entered the Spanish tour as co-leader with Gaia Realini, after having delivered a run of podiums by way of the spring which included victory on the Tour of Flanders. Nevertheless, it turned out to not be a simple path by way of 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 onerous with my teammates as we did imagine till the very finish that we may maintain the second place,” mentioned Longo Borghini in a group media launch. “In the long run, it wasn’t doable and I completed third. That is sport – generally you win, generally you lose.
“However, third place within the Vuelta isn’t a foul end result, hey? Everybody 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 must smile, it’s nonetheless an excellent end result,” mentioned the rider after taking to the ultimate total 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 total on the primary summit end of the race and held that runner-up spot proper by way of 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 acquired 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,” mentioned Longo Borghini. “I simply gave my 100% and that is what I acquired.”
Third total 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 Ladies’s WorldTour, and that signifies that I’ve been very constant throughout my Spring,” mentioned Longo Borghini, who took the highest spot on the top-tier sequence 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 considering of the second a part of the season.”
That’s more likely to embrace two extra Grand Excursions for Longo Borghini, and two extra probabilities to work her manner again up the general podium.
