When a win would mean the world, the runner-up is still special

0
182

Elisa Longo Borghini gives everything in a second-place finish in Strade Bianche

Over Italyโ€™s beautiful iconic white roads, Elisa Longo Borghini did not hold anything back. Strade Bianche is always a thrilling spectacle and for the women also the first WorldTour race of 2021. Plus, itโ€™s a race in Elisaโ€™s home country.  To win the epic Classic in the tri-color National jersey would be a dream come true.

In the finale of Strade Bianche,  Elisa had determination, and a strong teammate in Ellen van Dijk, and often thatโ€™s enough.

However, this time Chantal van den Broek-Blaak had great legs, and not one but two SD Worx teammates โ€“ and one was World Champion Anna Van der Breggen.

In a high-octane finale of the 136-kilometer race, Longo-Borghini had to follow the critical accelerations if she wanted to stay in the game.  And she did.

When Van den Broek-Blaak attacked (yet again) with five kilometers remaining, Longo-Borghini reacted (yet again). This time, the gap would not be closed and the two rode away to a duel on the steep finish into the center of Siena.

On paper, Elisa had the advantage up the steep climb to the line. But Van den Broek-Blaak could risk not sharing the work to stay ahead of the chasers with Van der Breggen not far behind. A nudge from Elisa was unresponsive  โ€“ Van den Broek-Blaak was not taking any lure and remained in the slipstream.

โ€œI was not frustrated or irritated. I just want to try to get her to go, and sometimes you have to try and get the other one to work,โ€ answered Longo Borghini when asked about Van den Broek-Blaak sitting on.  โ€œI absolutely knew that she would not work with me as normally I drop Chantel on a climb like this. Of course, today, she had something more in the legs in the finale compared to me.โ€

With 500 meters to go, Elisa no longer had the strength to follow, and Van den Broek-Blaak took a massive, and somewhat, unexpected win.

โ€œWhen I saw Chantel with me, I knew that she would have the better chance to win the race, but I still believed in it. In the end, she had better legs than me, and chapeau to her for the victory because itโ€™s an important one and a special one.  Arriving in Piazza del Campo di Siena is just beautiful and a win to enjoy,โ€ said Longo-Borghini gracefully.

Fortunately, Elisa still had enough to hold off the fast-approaching Van der Breggen and take a well-earned โ€“ and always special โ€“ podium in Strade Bianche.  Second is darn impressive, especially in oneโ€™s home country.

โ€œIโ€™m pretty satisfied with my 2nd place. I really want to thank my team, Trek-Segafredo, which is always supporting me the best, and the Polizia for their support for five years,โ€ added Elisa.

She had given everything. Sometimes it works, sometimes not, and for Elisa, she will always choose try.

Source