By W. G. S. D. Wijesinghe, Jadetimes news
Elisa Longo Borghini has become the first Italian to win the Women's Giro d'Italia since 2008, after an intense final stage. The Lidl Trek rider, aged 32, began the eighth stage with a narrow one second lead over SD Worx Protime's Lotte Kopecky. Despite the pressure, Longo Borghini successfully defended her lead, securing the Maglia Rosa for the first time in her career.
Stage Victories and Final Standings
The 117km stage from Pescara to L'Aquila saw Mauritian Kim Le Court triumph in a sprint finish, ahead of Ruth Edwards and Franziska Koch. Longo Borghini, finishing 25 seconds back in fourth place, maintained her overall lead, ending the race 21 seconds ahead of Kopecky in the general classification. Australia's Neve Bradbury, representing Canyon SRAM, secured third place, 55 seconds behind Kopecky.
Team Effort and Individual Accolades
Reflecting on her victory, Longo Borghini praised her team’s dedication, saying, "Everyone in the team was super motivated to keep the Maglia Rosa and to keep the leadership. All the teammates did an amazing job. Everyone was so committed, so thank you very much. I will need some time to realize what I've been doing." Meanwhile, World road race champion Lotte Kopecky won the sprinter's Maglia Rossa, and her compatriot Justine Ghekiere of AG Insurance Soudal claimed the climber's jersey, the Maglia Azzurra.he middle of the first set, Kalinskaya chose to retire from the match to avoid further injury.
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