'You never have to give up, you always have to fight, fight' - Elisa Longo Borghini limits losses in Dolomite stage of Giro d'Italia Women

Elisa Longo Borghini showed resilience during the challenging Dolomite stage of the Giro d’Italia Women, despite losing time to key rivals Demi Vollering and Anna van der Breggen. The defending champion was dropped on the initial climb but fought back to finish just 15 seconds behind stage winner Vollering. Her performance allowed her to move up two places to sixth overall, now trailing van der Breggen by 2 minutes and 12 seconds, with hopes of climbing further in the remaining mountain stages. Longo Borghini’s recent form has been affected by illness, having battled seasonal flu and a chest infection that disrupted her spring campaign. After an eight-week hiatus from racing, she has gradually regained fitness and confidence, evident in her improved showing on the Dolomites. Despite setbacks, she remains optimistic about her chances, focusing on maintaining her rhythm and trusting the process as the race progresses. The Italian national champion spoke candidly about the mental and physical challenges she has faced, emphasising the importance of perseverance. She expressed satisfaction at being back in contention and highlighted the long nature of the Giro, suggesting that her form will continue to improve. Her determination to fight through adversity resonates strongly, encapsulated in her mantra to never give up and keep battling. Longo Borghini’s performance underscores the unpredictable nature of the Giro d’Italia Women, where illness and recovery can play a significant role in shaping the general classification. With several demanding mountain stages still to come, her ability to limit losses and maintain a top-10 position keeps her firmly in the conversation for a strong overall finish. The coming days will be crucial as she aims to capitalise on her regained form and challenge the race favourites.