After a stellar year, Longo Borghini leaves Lidl-Trek with a heavy heart: "I can’t wait any longer"
Cycling
Elisa Longo Borghini was one of the standout riders in the ladies' peloton last season. Representing Lidl-Trek, the Italian gave us some exceptional performances, including victories in the Giro d’Italia and the Tour of Flanders. However, in 2025, she embarks on a new journey with UAE Team ADQ. Speaking to TuttoBiciWeb, the 33-year-old reflects on her past and looks ahead to the future.
"I’ve had an incredible season, full of emotions and results, but next year I’ll be wearing a new jersey," she told the Italian outlet. "I felt the time had come to shake things up and go for new experiences. I’m 33 now, and I can’t wait any longer. I need to do things while I still have time. I’m joining an ambitious team, and I’m happy with my choice. Still, I can only thank Lidl-Trek, and Luca Guercilena in particular, for the wonderful years we had together."
Longo Borghini offered insight into her schedule for the upcoming season. "One thing is certain: I’ll be racing the UAE Tour, followed by the Italian races: Strade Bianche, Trofeo Oro in Euro, Milan-San Remo, and then I'm heading to Flanders. Not Roubaix, but I’ll be starting in the Flèche Brabançonne, the Flèche Wallonne, and Liège-Bastogne-Liège." The Italian champion won’t be lifting the cobblestone trophy for a second time, having claimed victory in the Hell of the North in 2022.
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The Tour as the major goal? Nope, that's Strade Bianche
It was a year full of successes, but which victory stood out the most? "The Giro d’Italia. For years, I’ve chased that coveted pink jersey, and I finally got it." It was a nail-biting race: heading into the final stage, Longo Borghini held just a one-second lead over her rival, Lotte Kopecky. Nonetheless, she was brimming with confidence. "I was convinced the day before that I would win. I knew that after the double climb up the Blockhaus, I would recover better than Kopecky, and that’s exactly what happened."
But not everything went smoothly. "Withdrawing from the Tour de France because of a training error was truly disheartening and demoralizing," she admitted. During a training session, she crashed, preventing her from starting in France. "I felt both disabled and foolish. But perhaps because I didn’t ride La Grande Boucle, I was able to arrive at the World Championships in good form." There, she earned a bronze medal after a strong race, though she couldn’t capitalize on the mistakes made by Demi Vollering.
Despite the disappointment of missing the Tour de France, it’s not her top priority for 2025. So, which race is the one she most wants to win? "Strade Bianche. It’s a race I think I can win. I’d like to check that one off." In any case, the Italian veteran has no plans to quit cycling anytime soon. "I’ve signed a three-year contract, but I’d really like to keep going until the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles."
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Latest Comments
- Well explained, thanks for the clarity! Daniel DantasDanieldantas20-12-2024
- This is the kind of 'news' that belongs in a cheap tabloid. No matter how boring the offseason gets, nobody wants to read this.
santiagobenites19-12-2024 - I wish we could have seen him try. He'd absolutely get dropped before Pogi overtakes his domestiquesVeganpotter10-12-2024
- Talk is cheap! Next year barring crashes with a healthy team... all well be on track! Some need to talk to make a headline!mootman27-11-2024
- I do not see this event listed on HBO Max Sports Online? Can anyone confirm? Thanks!
MrYuck23-11-2024 - It seemed that he was focusing forward at the time of the crash, after seeing a quick video snippet. But one thing I think he should focus on more intently is breaking a bad habit he has, right now. And that is his constant looking over his shoulders. He does that so much, that I am very sure it is not good for him. Simply watch videos of the greats of CX and you will see very little of that constant looking over their shoulders. That is a behavior that betrays a bit of insecurity on his part. He shouldn't be so concerned, incessantly, about what is over his shoulder. He needn't worry they didn't all disappear. He neds to keep his focus more ahead of himself, and he needs to pay a bit more attention to himself, in a confident manner. It is very frustrating to watch, because it is apparent that he has a lot of potential, and is in much better shape thwan many of his competitors, but the mental game needs to be sharpened more, because that part of strategy plays a huge part in the final results
reemmo022-11-2024 - hahahaha love this shit! I didnt even watched the race, but reading all the gossip articles of how stupid this is!Zatoichi19-11-2024
- Van Aert is really handsome. He can influence me all day! Ditto for Philipsen. Why do you think many of us love cycling?: to see heroic attempts at climbing mountains at high altitudes or to watch speedsters sprint for the finish line or to watch a human being ride at break neck speed down a tricky descent? No, it's all about their lean physiques and muscular legs. (apologies for objectifying these dedicated and amazing athletes).BarwonHeadsUp25-10-2024
- It is unfortunate that the author can't feel the joy that Pogacar brings to the sport and his fans who are legion and I for one feel lucky to have watched such a memorable performance and historic season From the Strada until yesterday with multiple wins in stages in both tours and beyond dominance in the World's. He is proud to wear the Rainbow stripes, shows his leadership to protect his fellows and is as courteous and sportsman-like as the sport allows. He goes early to not have to respond to each attack as all the rest would make him do it. Any racer who could would do the same. Don't "grow tired" of greatness as it is always fleeting.ccrider13-10-2024
- What load of rubbish. Pog is likely a once in a generation cyclist, the like of which hasn't been seen since 'the Cannibal '. How many people were complaining that Merckx was making racing predictable? I remember this year's World RR as one of the most exciting I've watched. Mainly BECAUSE Pog was the favourite and launched what everyone thought (Pog included) was a suicidal attack with 80km to go. For the next 2 hours, I was on the edge of my seat thinking "this is too much, even for Pog". Maybe Zonnefeld prefers the snooze-fest that is a bunch sprint? Like most people I know, I can't watch two hours of the bunch riding very fast... I wait for the final 5km and watch just the sprint. In any event, most races are won from a sprint or lone break. What difference does it make who makes the lone break? Ultimately, the other contenders will have to figure out a way to beat Pog. Even if that means collaboration between teams. It's going to be an exciting few seasons, until the next Pog arrives on the scene. If this is boring, heaven knows what exciting looks like!Michael513-10-2024