Elisa Longo Borghini claimed her third consecutive Italian road title, and sixth in total, with an imperious solo ride in Darfo Boario Terme, on a hilly circuit that offered little respite and even less margin for error. The 33-year-old attacked from a reduced group in the closing phase of the race and, despite a dramatic bike change just 5km from the finish, rode solo to the line to secure another year in the tricolore jersey.
The 121.6-kilometre course in Lombardy was a relentless test of attrition. With no major climbs but a constant series of sharp hills, narrow roads and technical descents, the route steadily wore down the field. Temperatures climbed above 30°C, and by the final hour, the race had fragmented completely.
Several riders tried to animate the early laps, but no meaningful break stuck until the pace began to lift with around 40km remaining. At that point, a dozen riders formed a promising group, including Longo Borghini, Monica Trinca Colonel and Eleonora Ciabocco. It was a group loaded with strong engines but also hesitant rivals, and Longo Borghini capitalised on that tension perfectly.
She waited until the terrain tilted upwards on a draggy false flat before putting in a crisp, seated attack. The initial gap was small, but it grew quickly when no one behind wanted to take full responsibility. With her nose in the wind and full commitment, Longo Borghini simply rode away. She took advantage of every corner, every dip in the road, increasing the gap while behind her, the chase disintegrated.
Back in the bunch, the race took a darker turn. Vittoria Guazzini crashed heavily while descending in a chase group with just over 30km to go. Her rear wheel locked up, sending her skidding into a stone wall at speed. The wall may have saved her from a serious drop down a ravine on the other side, but the impact fractured her radius and ended her race. “I’ve been lucky this time,” she said afterwards. “The wall stopped me, but the pain was immediate. It’s exactly where I crashed in 2023.”
As the race hit its final stretch, Longo Borghini looked in complete control. But with five kilometres to go, she raised her hand – something was wrong with her bike. She needed a change, and quickly. The team car pulled up behind her, the mechanic already halfway out of the vehicle before it had come to a full stop. In his eagerness, he lost his footing and slipped, hitting the moving car as he tumbled to the ground. Remarkably, he sprang back up almost immediately, pulled the spare bike from the rack, and handed it to Longo Borghini. Within seconds, she was off again, barely losing momentum.
The chase never recovered. Monica Trinca Colonel pushed hard behind, eventually taking second place, while Eleonora Ciabocco stayed clear to round out the podium. But neither came close to threatening the outcome.
Longo Borghini crossed the line alone, tricolore-clad for another year. Her final margin of victory was close to a minute, but the manner of it was worth more than numbers. It was dominance shaped by timing, built on resolve and delivered with poise even when the race threw chaos her way.
“It means a lot to keep this jersey,” she said at the finish. “Every time I wear it, I feel pride. This was not an easy race – nothing about it was simple – but I was ready for a hard day and I’m proud of how I rode.”
2025 Italian National Championships result
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