Procycling

ELISA LONGO BORGHINI

WINNER IN 2015

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Vi c tory in Oudenaarde after a long range move was Longo Borghini’s biggest win to date, where she finished ahead of teammate Jolie D’Hoore.

That victory in 2015 is my highlight of that year. I don’t really understand now how I managed it, but I just went by instinct and went solo, which is the best way for me to win a race.

We knew that Jolien D’Hoore was a good card for a sprint, and I could play my cards and try to win the race, so it worked pretty well.

I attacked after the Kanarieber­g. It was one of those moments you just don’t think. It was a bit messy in the bunch because there were several attacks going on and everybody was getting ready for the Hotond because it’s a crucial point, and I was like, ‘Okay, now I go.’

I didn’t really think about anything else other than winning. I thought that if I could pass the Kwaremont with 50 seconds I could get to the finish and then as soon as I left Kwaremont, I saw my brother and he said I had 58 seconds. I said, ‘Okay, now I can really win.’

You know those moments: you’re just in your own zone and you focus on your pedal strokes and your cadence; you don’t really think about anything else.

I was really, really really scared to put my arms in the air. I tried at 200 metres and then thought, ‘No, what if they catch me? Better to pedal a little bit more.’ Then I lifted my hands only 50 metres before the finish line and I started crying.”

 ?? ?? Elisa Longo Borghini climbs the Paterberg during her 2015 solo
Longo Borghini and D’Hoore (l) had the perfect strategy in 2015
Elisa Longo Borghini climbs the Paterberg during her 2015 solo Longo Borghini and D’Hoore (l) had the perfect strategy in 2015
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