Longo Borghini wins Trofeo Alfredo Binda World Cup

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Elisa Longo Borghini overcame cold and wet conditions to become the first Italian winner of the Trofeo Alfredo Binda UCI Women World Cup. The young Hitec Products UCK rider finished solo 1:44 ahead of podium finishers Emma Johansson (Orica AIS) and Ellen van Dijk (Specialized-lululemon).

Cittiglio hosted its sixth Trofeo Binda as a World Cup in typical conditions. The rain fell all day and the temperature did not rise to double figures. After a six kilometre neutralised zone from Laveno Mombello to Cittiglio - which served as a ceremonial opening of a new cycle path - the race began. After only ten kilometres, the pace was enough to stretch the 160 rider peloton into a long line.

It was not until the first climb that a serious break was established. That break contained Ashleigh Moolman (Lotto), Jessie Daams (Boels Dolmans), Karol-Ann Canuel (Vienne Futuroscope) and Shara Gillow (Orica-AIS). The quartet gained a maximum of 50 seconds and led through the highest point of the small lap, the Orino, for the first time.

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After some spirited chasing, the bunch was back together again for the next climb, with the pace slowing slightly while riders with ambitions to win bided their time in the main group. A few kilometres further on however, three riders broke away, observed by eventual winner, Longo Borghini. She recognised their threat and chased them, caught them and broke away from them alone.

Longo Borghini was chased by Amanda Spratt (Orica-AIS), but the Italian was too strong for the former Australian champion. Longo Borghini slowly extended her lead at the front and had a comfortable gap as she returned to the sizable crowd waiting for the finish in Cittiglio.

“I am not the best in the sprint, I am not the best in the mountains, but I was strong today and this is how I won,” Longo Borghini said after the race. “This is a big step for my career and shows the big improvement in Italian women’s cycling”, she concluded.

Marianne Vos retained the World Cup lead by finishing sixth, at the front of the bunch. The Olympic and World Champion will wear the leader’s jersey in the third round of the World Cup. The third race of the series takes place in Belgium next Sunday in the Ronde van Vlaanderen.

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