Elisa Longo Borghini delivered another impressive display of resilience and fighting spirit on Stage 4 of the Giro d’Italia Women, overcoming a difficult day to finish fifth atop the demanding summit finish in Santo Stefano di Cadore.
The Italian champion crossed the line just 15 seconds behind stage winner Demi Vollering after a brutal 146-kilometre stage from Longarone, limiting her losses and remaining firmly in contention in the overall classification despite not feeling at her very best.
UAE Team ADQ animated the race from the opening kilometres, placing three riders in a large 22-rider breakaway through Lara Gillespie, Erica Magnaldi and Eleonora Gasparrini. Magnaldi and Gasparrini, in particular, stayed at the front until the beginning of the decisive climbs and later provided valuable support to Longo Borghini as the race exploded in the mountains.
The Italian champion faced several difficult moments throughout the stage. She was briefly distanced from the leading group under repeated accelerations, first from Marlen Reusser and later from Vollering, but each time she fought her way back with remarkable determination, refusing to give in.
On the final ascent, a select group of four riders managed to break clear: Demi Vollering (FDJ-SUEZ), Anna van der Breggen (Team SD Worx-Protime), Antonia Niedermaier (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) and Isabella Holmgren (Lidl-Trek). The quartet stayed away to contest both the stage victory and valuable general classification seconds.
Behind them, Longo Borghini joined forces with Niamh Fisher-Black (Lidl-Trek), maintaining a gap that fluctuated between 20 and 30 seconds before launching a strong sprint in the final metres to secure fifth place.
Vollering took the stage victory, while Van der Breggen successfully defended the Maglia Rosa.
In the overall standings, Van der Breggen continues to lead with a one-minute advantage over Vollering. Niedermaier sits third at 1:24, followed by Holmgren at 2:01 and Reusser at 2:03. Longo Borghini remains sixth overall, 2:12 behind the race leader.
The Giro d’Italia Women now heads towards a stage expected to favour the sprinters, with Thursday’s 160-kilometre route from Ala to Brescello offering a very different challenge after the demanding mountain battle in the Dolomites.
(ph. Getty Sport)
