Elisa Longo Borghini Clinches Historic Giro d’Italia Win

Elisa Longo Borghini made history by becoming the first Italian to win the Women’s Giro d’Italia since 2008 after a tense final stage. The 32-year-old Lidl-Trek rider started the last day with a narrow one-second lead over Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky of SD Worx-Protime. Nevertheless, Longo Borghini successfully maintained her lead, thereby securing the Maglia Rosa for the first time in her career.

In addition, the final 117km stage from Pescara to L’Aquila saw Mauritian Kim Le Court triumph in a sprint finish, edging out Ruth Edwards and Franziska Koch. Longo Borghini finished 25 seconds back in fourth place, thus ensuring her overall victory by 21 seconds ahead of Kopecky in the general classification. Furthermore, Australia’s Neve Bradbury, racing for Canyon//SRAM, completed the podium, finishing third overall, 55 seconds behind Longo Borghini.

Reflecting on her victory, Longo Borghini expressed gratitude to her teammates, highlighting their commitment and effort in maintaining her lead throughout the race. She said, “Everyone in the team was super motivated to keep the Maglia Rosa and to keep the leadership. All the team-mates did an amazing job. Everyone was so committed, so thank you very much. I will need some time to realise what I’ve been doing.”

Moreover, World road race champion Kopecky won the sprinter’s Maglia Rossa, while her compatriot Justine Ghekiere of AG Insurance-Soudal claimed the climber’s jersey, the Maglia Azzurra.

Final general classification standings:

1. Elisa Longo Borghini (Ita/Lidl-Trek) – 24hrs 2mins 16secs
2. Lotte Kopecky (Bel/SD Worx-Protime) – +21secs
3. Neve Bradbury (Aus/Canyon//SRAM) – +1min 16secs
4. Pauliena Rooijakkers (Ned/Fenix-Deceuninck) – +2mins 5secs
5. Juliette Labous (Fra/dsm-firmenich-PostNL) – +2mins 15secs
6. Antonia Niedermaier (Ger/Canyon//SRAM) – +2mins 41secs
7. Gaia Realini (Ita/Lidl-Trek) – +3mins 41secs
8. Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig (Den/FDJ-SUEZ) – +4mins 31secs
9. Mavi Garcia (Spa/Liv AlUla Jayco) – +5mins 17secs
10. Niamh Fisher-Black (NZ/SD Worx-Protime) – +5mins 55secs

Longo Borghini’s victory marks a significant milestone in her career and a proud moment for Italian cycling.