Elite Women CyclingAs a two-time winner of the Tour of Flanders, Elisa Longo Borghini has established herself as one of the most successful riders in women’s cycling. She excels particularly in challenging one-day races and hilly stage races, where her fighting spirit and tactical insight truly shine. In 2024 she also demonstrated her strength in stage races, winning the Giro d’Italia Women.
Cycling family and early years
Cycling is in Elisa Longo Borghini’s blood. She was born in 1991 in Ornavasso, a small town at the foot of the Alps, into a true sports family. Her mother was a successful cross-country skier, and her brother Paolo was a professional cyclist until 2014. After achieving success as a junior, she made her professional debut in 2011 at age 19 with Top Girls Fassa Bortolo. Her breakthrough came in 2012 with a bronze medal at the Road World Championships in Valkenburg.
Racing style and specialties
As a rider, Elisa Longo Borghini is distinguished by her versatility and attacking style. With her explosive accelerations on climbs and excellent descending skills, she is particularly dangerous in hilly races. The Italian thrives in tough conditions and long breakaways, using her tactical prowess to strike at the perfect moment. While pure sprints are not her forte, she performs exceptionally well in small group finishes.
Career highlights
| Year | Match | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Giro d’Italia Women | 1 |
| 2024, 2015 | Tour of Flanders | 1 |
| 2022 | Paris-Roubaix Femmes | 1 |
| 2021 | Tokyo Olympics – road race | 3 |
| 2017 | Strade Bianche | 1 |
Major victories
Her list of achievements is impressive. She won the Giro d’Italia Women in 2024, the UAE Tour Women in 2023, the Tour of Flanders twice (2015, 2024), the Trofeo Alfredo Binda (2013, 2021), the Strade Bianche (2017), and various stages in multi-day races. At the Tokyo Olympics, she claimed bronze in the road race, and in 2022, she won Paris-Roubaix. As a five-time Italian road race champion and seven-time national time trial champion, she demonstrates remarkable consistency.
