Elisa Longo Borghini and Federica Venturelli claimed podium finishes in the ITT Italian National Championships for Elite Women, finishing second and third respectively. The title went to Vittoria Guazzini of Fiamme Oro, who edged out UAE Team ADQ’s Longo Borghini by just six seconds (ph. Flaviano Ossola/BICITV).
Federica Venturelli took the Italian champion’s jersey in the U23 Women’s category, where her UAE Development Team teammate Francesca Pellegrini secured the silver medal.
Guazzini completed the 28 km course in 34:19, averaging nearly 49 km/h. Longo Borghini finished just six seconds behind, while the young Venturelli impressed with a strong performance to take third place overall, 1:15 down on the winner. Also noteworthy was Silvia Persico’s 8th place finish. Francesca Pellegrini, returning to racing after a long injury break, finished just outside the Top 10 overall but claimed silver in the U23 category.
Elisa Longo Borghini commented: “I think I delivered a time trial performance that aligned well with my plan. It was a solid ride and certainly not on a course that particularly suited me. Vittoria Guazzini deserved the win – she was the most suited to this route. Personally, finishing this close to her on terrain that didn’t favor me gives me confidence in my current form. Now we look ahead to the Italian Road Championships. Once again, the course isn’t ideal for me, but we’ll fight and aim to do our best together with the team.”
Federica Venturelli said: “I’m really happy because I came into this race with an uncertain condition, having had to build up form at the last minute due to injuries and physical issues earlier in the season. It was an event I really cared about, but I wasn’t sure if I’d be at my best. So, stepping onto the Elite podium and winning the tricolore jersey in the U23 category was a great surprise. I’m personally very satisfied with this performance.”
ITT National Championships also took place today in other countries, with several of our riders in action: Dominika Wlodarczyk finished fourth in Poland; Eilidh Shaw placed tenth in the U23 Women’s race in Great Britain; Amalia Debarges didn’t achieve a significant result in France.
(ph. Flaviano Ossola / BICITV)
