Strong performance from UAE Team ADQ at the twelfth edition of the Strade Bianche Women, with Elisa Longo Borghini among the main protagonists throughout the day and finishing fourth in Piazza del Campo after a very intense race.
The 133 km course, featuring 11 gravel sectors, came to life on the longest stretch of the day, San Martino in Grania, where the high pace split the peloton and created a leading group of around twenty riders. Among them were Longo Borghini alongside teammates Paula Blasi and Dominika Włodarczyk. A crash involving several riders also affected the race of Mavi Garcia, Silvia Persico, and especially Erica Magnaldi, who suffered several cuts and bruises.
Włodarczyk launched an attack together with Elise Chabbey, and after being caught she played an important supporting role for her teammate. In the finale, the Italian champion was one of the most aggressive riders on the decisive gravel sectors. Longo Borghini attacked several times, first on Colle Pinzuto and then on the steep slopes of Le Tolfe, trying to make the difference within the group of favourites.
The race was decided only in the final kilometres. A group of eight riders reached the Strappo di Santa Caterina together, with the victory eventually decided in a four-rider sprint. The win went to Chabbey, ahead of Kasia Niewiadoma and Franziska Koch, while Longo Borghini finished fourth just a few seconds behind.
“My legs were hurting in the final, but I can’t blame myself for anything,” said Longo Borghini. “I tried to attack and race aggressively. It’s better to give everything until the end than not try and maybe finish second.”
It was an important result for UAE Team ADQ, which played a leading role on one of the most selective and spectacular races of the Women’s WorldTour calendar.
(ph. Getty Sport)
