With that said, we would like to give readers deeper insight into these remarkable athletes who make women’s racing so exciting, starting with one of the most accomplished riders in the peloton: Elisa Longo Borghini. Known for her versatility, consistency, and tactical intelligence, Elisa has had an extraordinary career, from her early days in Italy to becoming one of the most respected and successful riders on the international stage. Let’s look at her journey from promising young talent to seasoned champion.
Elisa gets her start
Born on December 10, 1991, in the northern Italian town of Ornavasso, Elisa Longo Borghini grew up surrounded by a robust sporting influence. Her mother, Guidina Dal Sasso, was a professional cross-country skier, representing Italy in several Winter Olympics. Elisa’s brother, Paolo Longo Borghini, was also a professional cyclist from 2004 to 2014, competing at the highest levels of the sport. This family connection to elite-level competition undoubtedly shaped Elisa’s path.
Training in the mountains and around the lakes of northern Italy, Elisa developed her love for cycling early on. Her family’s dedication to sport and the natural beauty of her surroundings provided her with the perfect environment to nurture her talents. Even as her career has skyrocketed, Elisa remains grounded by the values her parents instilled in her: humility, determination, and remembering her roots.
Turning pro
Elisa turned professional in 2011 at 18 with the Top Girls Fassa Bortolo Ghezzi team. She wasted no time making her presence known, finishing fifth at her first race, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, a prestigious Belgian classic. Her neo-pro year saw her competing with seasoned riders and earning top-ten finishes at the European Championships and the U23 World Championships.
In 2012, Elisa moved to the Hitec Products – Mistral Home team where she began to achieve more consistent results. This was the year she truly broke through, winning the youth classification at the Giro d’Italia Donne and finishing fifth overall. Her talent in time trials and stage races became more apparent, and she added podium finishes at races like the GP de Plouay and Elite World Championships to her growing palmarès.
The following years saw her continue to grow as an all-rounder. In 2013, Elisa took her first significant career win, claiming victory at the Trofeo Alfredo Binda. She followed it up with solid performances in the classics, finishing fourth at the Tour of Flanders and second at La Flèche Wallonne, establishing herself as one of the top climbers in the women’s peloton.
Breakthrough in the Classics
2015 marked a significant turning point for Elisa Longo Borghini. Riding for the Wiggle Honda team, Elisa made history by becoming the first Italian woman to win the Tour of Flanders, one of the sport’s oldest and most prestigious races. Her solo victory was a defining moment, signalling her arrival as a force to be reckoned with in the spring classics.
That year also brought a series of strong performances, including a third-place finish at Strade Bianche and a fourth at Trofeo Alfredo Binda. Elisa’s ability to thrive on the challenging terrain of the Classics – races often characterised by cobbled roads and steep climbs – earned her widespread recognition as one of the peloton’s most talented and resilient riders.
Olympic success and World Tour dominance
In 2016, Elisa’s career reached new heights when she won a bronze medal in the road race at the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games. The race, held on a challenging course that suited her climbing abilities, was a career-defining moment and a proud achievement for Italian cycling. Elisa also finished fifth in the Olympic time trial, highlighting her all-around capabilities.
The following year, 2017, Elisa won Strade Bianche, adding another prestigious Classic to her growing list of victories. She consistently placed in the top five at critical races, including Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Amstel Gold Race. She took second overall at the Giro d’Italia, showcasing her ability to compete in stage races and one-day events. Her performance in the Giro was followed by a third-place finish at La Course by Le Tour de France, further solidifying her place among the sport’s elite.
Joining Trek-Segafredo and beyond
In 2019, Elisa joined the newly formed Trek-Segafredo (now Lidl-Trek) team, a move that would lead to some of the most successful years of her career. Right from the start, Elisa made an impact, winning the Emakumeen Euskal Bira stage race and the team time trial at the Vårgårda WestSweden TTT. She finished the year with several strong results, including a sixth place at La Course and a podium finish at the European Championships.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the 2020 racing calendar but Elisa remained consistent, winning the Italian national road race and time trial titles. In 2021, she added another milestone to her palmarès, taking third in the Tokyo Olympics road race and winning Trofeo Alfredo Binda for the second time. She also secured podium finishes at Flèche Wallonne, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and the inaugural Paris-Roubaix Femmes where she placed third.
Victory at Paris-Roubaix Femmes
One of Elisa’s crowning achievements came in 2022 when she won the second edition of Paris-Roubaix Femmes, one of the most brutal races in the women’s calendar. That year, she also won the Women’s Tour and finished sixth at the inaugural Tour de France Femmes, proving her ability to compete in stage races over multiple days. She capped off the season with victories at Giro dell’Emilia and Tre Valli Varesine, continuing her streak of late-season success.
2023-2024: Resilience and triumph at the Giro d’Italia
The 2023 season began with promise as Elisa won the overall classification at the UAE Tour Women. Despite injuries and illness that marred her performances later in the year, she rebounded spectacularly in 2024 by winning the Giro d’Italia Women. Elisa’s dominance throughout the race, where she took the lead in the opening time trial and never relinquished the Maglia Rosa, was a testament to her endurance, tactical intelligence, and fighting spirit.
Her victory at the Giro d’Italia, nine years after her first win at the Tour of Flanders, demonstrated her incredible longevity in the sport. Elisa remains one of the strongest riders in the peloton, with a career that spans over a decade and shows no signs of slowing down.
Looking ahead: UCI Road World Championships 2024
As Elisa Longo Borghini prepares for the 2024 UCI Road World Championships in Zürich this weekend, she remains at the top of her game. Known for her ability to deliver on the biggest stages, Elisa is sure to be a key contender in the fight for the rainbow jersey.
Whatever the outcome of the upcoming race, Elisa Longo Borghini’s career is a testament to hard work, determination, and a deep love for the sport. Whether it’s a brutal cobbled classic or a gruelling stage race, Elisa Longo Borghini is a rider who leaves everything on the road – a true champion and crusader for women’s cycling!
