'A really uncertain moment for me' – After spring goals were sunk by illness, can Elisa Longo Borghini float back to the top at the Giro d'Italia Women?

Elisa Longo Borghini faces a pivotal moment in her career as she prepares to defend her Giro d’Italia Women title after a disrupted start to the 2024 season. The Italian rider, who claimed the maglia rosa in both 2024 and 2025, was forced off the bike for nearly two months due to a severe chest infection following a bout of seasonal flu. This illness not only caused her to miss key races such as Milan-San Remo but also hindered her performance in early April classics, leaving questions over whether she can return to peak form in time to challenge for a third consecutive Giro victory. Before falling ill, Longo Borghini had shown strong early-season form, winning the UAE Tour and Trofeo Oro in Euro, and delivering a competitive performance at Strade Bianche. However, the chest infection severely affected her breathing and endurance, forcing her to take an extended break while her rivals continued to build fitness during the Ardennes Classics and Vuelta Femenina. Despite these setbacks, Longo Borghini remains optimistic, describing her current focus as simply regaining health and form, with a determined mindset to race without pressure or expectations. The Giro d’Italia Women holds a special place in Longo Borghini’s career and personal motivation. Having only missed the race once since her professional debut in 2011, the home Grand Tour remains her top priority and a race she is deeply committed to winning. Her passion for cycling is evident in her candid remarks about continuing the sport “until they shoot me off the bike,” underscoring her enduring dedication despite recent challenges. She acknowledges the uncertainty of her form but insists she has “nothing to lose” and will race with full commitment. This year’s Giro route promises to be particularly demanding, featuring an uphill time trial on stage three and the iconic Colle delle Finestre climb on stage eight, which includes a challenging gravel section before the finish in Sestriere. Longo Borghini expressed excitement about the inclusion of these legendary climbs, though she admitted the difficulty might test her resolve when she faces them in the race. With her husband, fellow professional cyclist Jacopo Mosca, also connected to the final stage, the event carries both professional and personal significance for the Italian champion. Longo Borghini’s return to racing at the Giro d’Italia Women will be closely watched, as it will reveal whether she can overcome recent health setbacks to reclaim her position at the top of women’s cycling. While the illness has forced her to essentially restart her season, her experience, resilience, and passion for the sport position her as a formidable contender. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining if she can translate her recovery into a successful title defence on one of the sport’s grandest stages.