Elisa Longo Borghini claimed the first rainbow jersey of her career as Italy raced to gold in the Mixed Relay Team Time Trial at the UCI Road World Championships in Montreal.
Longo Borghini joined Vittoria Guazzini, Monica Trinca Colonel, Filippo Ganna, Matteo Sobrero and Mattia Cattaneo in the Italian line-up for the 40.6-kilometre event.
After a closely contested race, Italy recorded the fastest combined time to finish eight seconds ahead of France, while Switzerland took bronze at 20 seconds.
The day also brought a personal milestone for the 34-year-old. Her start in Montreal marked her 27th race appearance at the UCI Road World Championships, making her the Italian cyclist with the most World Championship participations in history.
Italy races to Mixed Relay world title
The Mixed Relay Team Time Trial saw the men’s teams take to the course first before the women’s squads completed the second part of the effort.
Ganna, Sobrero and Cattaneo formed Italy’s men’s trio, while Longo Borghini, Guazzini and Trinca Colonel represented the women’s side.
With the leading nations separated by small margins, the combined performances of Italy’s six riders proved decisive. France finished eight seconds back, with Switzerland a further 12 seconds behind.
For Longo Borghini, the result delivered a world title in a discipline she has long enjoyed and one in which the Italian team had been pursuing gold.
Longo Borghini celebrates first rainbow jersey
“I am very happy. It is an honour for me to race with my teammates. We have been chasing this gold medal for a long time and I personally really like this discipline, so I am extremely happy to have been able to win. It is my first rainbow jersey and it is special to be able to share it with all my teammates. It is something truly special. We will enjoy this moment and now look ahead to the next appointments.”
Blasi and Wlodarczyk also represent their countries
Two other UAE Team L’IMAD riders lined up for their respective national teams in Montreal.
Paula Blasi represented Spain, helping the team finish sixth, 1:11 behind Italy.
Meanwhile, Dominika Wlodarczyk raced for Poland, which completed the event in eighth place, 1:49 behind the winning time.
The three riders therefore represented Italy, Spain and Poland at the World Championships, with Longo Borghini taking home the rainbow jersey from the Mixed Relay.
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