WOMEN | 06/16/2024 | 2.30pm
by Giorgia Monguzzi
Demi Vollering’s dominance continues at the Tour de Suissebut really behind her there is an Italian delegation ready not to leave her too much space and to undermine his primacy. If yesterday Gaia Realini had held her own against the Dutch champion until the final ascent, today Elisa Longo Borghini took care of it and was the protagonist of an incredible time trial. The Italian champion put in a test of consistency and power, surrendering only to Demi Vollering.
«With the team we tried to set the time trial as best as possible, I knew I could do well, but above all that the race could give me some very important answers – explained Elisa Longo Borghini to tuttobiciweb –: it was not an easy test to manage because there was a flat area in the first part and then a whole climb at the end, the best option was to change bikes after 6.5 km, it was a bit of an unknown, but everything went according to plan. I am very happy with my performance, Demi Vollering was incredible, she is a pure climber and this is her terrain. Chapeau to her, but little by little I’m getting closer too.”
The Tour de Suisse, as has already happened in past editions, represents a fundamental point in the preparation of Elisa who returned to racing a month and a half after the Vuelta which finished in third place. «I’m exactly where I want to be in my preparation and I couldn’t be happier. After the Vuelta I took a break for a week without the bike and then a big block of endurance at altitude, the Tour de Suisse is in all respects my first out of revs after May 5th. I respond well to efforts and I am also proving to myself that I can compete with the strongest uphill climbs” continued Elisa.
These days in Switzerland the impression is that it is more serene than usual and is preparing itself as best as possible for its next objectives. Certainly great credit goes to the team, a Lidl Trek of which she has always praised, especially for the union created with the other teammates. Now the US Team is undermining Demi Vollering’s record with two athletes on the virtual podium. Behind the Dutch champion are Elisa Longo Borghini at 1’26” and Gaia Realini at 1’28” and seeing them both on the podium is something the Piedmontese herself is thinking about.
«Both getting on the podium would be really nice – admits Longo Borghini – but with the team we don’t want to settle and we will try to undermine Demi Vollering’s first position. I know it’s difficult, SD Worx has very strong individuals, but Lidl Trek can count on a united and incredible team, we will fight until the end.”
Meanwhile, in 4 days there is the Italian time trial event and after today’s result you can’t help but think about it. Elisa will be at the start to defend both records, the online one and the one against the clock and we all know that she will be one of the main contenders. We don’t talk about it, perhaps out of good luck or simply because the journey is still long, there are 2 stages left in the Tour de Suisse, 2 opportunities to try to leave our mark.
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