MONTE NERONE – The finish line speakers blare Lady Gaga's "Abracadabra," the quintessential magic formula, while the giant screen on the podium shows footage of the final kilometers of the eagerly awaited seventh stage. It is in those very moments that the magic is created by Longo Borghini, who thanks to a masterly work by Persico, decides to overturn the Giro Women's cycling and go and get the pink jersey.
The trap is sprung
A little over 20 kilometers from the end, on a seemingly easy stretch of flat ground, the two athletes of the UAE ADQ Team they stretch out decisively, taking Lippert with them. There is a runaway in front of everyone Van Anrooij, who for some time remained the virtual leader of the general classification. In the chasing group where all the other women in the classification were, Reusser and his Movistar team are unable to close down the counterattacks. In fact, they are reeling because they no longer know what to do to save their captain.
At minus 11, the work of a commendable Persico ends. Lippert gives in a few meters later under the onslaught of an unleashed LongoShe takes seconds ahead of Van Anrooij and gains some behind Reusser, who in the meantime has been isolated and at the mercy of the attacks of the others. Indeed, Gigante breaks the deadlock, demonstrating that uphill performances are different from those of the others. The Australian from AG Insurance Soudal catches up and overtakes Longo Borghini who in the meantime had reached and dropped Van AnrooijThe giant repeats Pianezze's success, and Longo Borghini seals the feat, taking the pink jersey from Reusser, who finishes fourth. The excitement of the crowd and the athletes is palpable, and perhaps we all remain passionate about cycling for days like these.
Tactical masterpiece
The one implemented by Persico and Longo Borghini is a work of art of tactics and courage with few equals. We say this without creating controversy and knowing that we might encounter opposing opinions: If a man had created such a masterpiece, we would probably have big headlines and people would be talking about it for a long time. Cycling in general should give more credit to women who perform such feats. Upending the Giro like this is something only someone with Longo Borghini's mettle could have accomplished.
«I messed up like always – says Elisa wearing the pink jersey, while outside the tent her mother Giudina and her nephew Cristian who turns 11 tomorrow are waiting for her – It wasn't a planned move, because the initial idea was to stay on the wheels and make a sharp attack three kilometers from the endBut we found ourselves at the end of the descent and so I told Silvia to push hard to start the last climb with a twenty-second advantage."
Thanks to the companions
Longo Borghini speaks independently as always, there's no need to feed her too much to think back to what he just did.
«I owe this day – she confesses with great emotion – to my companions, because We built this Giro and this team synergy with months and months of preparation, of retirements and bad days up and down the Dolomites. Sometimes we dreamed and sometimes we were discouraged, but we never gave up on the goal we had in mind. Today we achieved it. Tomorrow in Imola will be a very tough final stage. We have to keep the pink jersey, we know where we are, we will keep our feet firmly planted and try to defend ourselves with heart.».
Mental strength
The difference on a bike is made by the legs, but also by the head and its own motivations. This morning we saw a serene Longo Borghini, who appeared in the video behind Persico while the Bergamo native was being interviewed. Or the wave and smile she gave us ten meters after the start.
"Today," he continues, "I had this idea in my head of tearing them all off. I knew only Gigante could come get me. I was also a little angry when he passed me, but I couldn't help it.She was much stronger. I offer her my sincere congratulations because she proved to be the strongest climber at this time.
«In the last 4 kilometers I concentrated only on what was in front of me. And then, I repeat, I kept thinking I had to do this for my classmates. Because even today they went back and forth to the team car to bring me drinks. Or how much they pulled yesterday in a stage that didn't go the way we wanted, or even at the Monselice fan stage."
Being Longo Borghini
Regardless of everything, this seventh stage of the Giro Women's cycling it touched everyone's heartstrings. Reusser, as soon as she crossed the finish line, sat down distraught under the awards stage, venting her fatigue and frustration in a cry as nervous as it is liberating, receiving the affection of colleagues, staff and public. The Switzerland of the Movistar he could only give in to a person like Longo Borghini.
«There are people – Elisa replies – who say that everything starts with dreams, while For me, dreams are nonsense. You have to have legs, brains, a head as hard as marble and always believe in them., in addition to good preparation behind you. Otherwise you won't get anywhere. Then there are times when you have to follow what your instinct tells you, like today».
Yesterday, Reusser said he hadn't counterattacked Longo Borghini because his radio wasn't working and he didn't want to close in on his teammate Lippert. What if the former pink jersey was bluffing, covering up a declining form, and Elisa had noticed? "Honestly, I don't know," he replied. but I think Marlen is a very classy rider as well as being a very intelligent person. I think he just made the right move, as I would have done too."
“I thank you for all the consideration you give me,” he says, referring to the visibility he should have after today, “but I never know what to respond. I have great respect for my male colleagues and I hope they have the same respect for me.Yes, maybe they would have given me more space if I were a man, but I am Elisa Longo Borghini, a woman and happy to be one."
Downplaying
The whole essence of the 33-year-old from Ornavasso It comes out when we close the conference. It moved us, but If we know her a little, we also know that during the final climb she had some ironic thoughts. And he laughs about it while rewinding the tape of the stage.
«4 kilometers from the finish line – concludes Longo Borghini – when I was in maximum effort, I thought that if they had done the lactate test on me, so dear to Slongo (smiles, ed.), the machine would have explodedI'm also thinking about the villages we passed through: Piano, Pianello. I mean, were you kidding me? But today I'd like to thank above all That fan who shouted "Go Elisona" at me on the way up. I literally burst out laughing.».
How can you not root for someone like Longo Borghini, who if it didn't exist, we would have to invent itMeanwhile, today he invented the feat at the Giro and tomorrow in Imola he will race to confirm it. His lead over Marlen Reusser is now 22 seconds.
