Longo Borghini explains why she fully committed to Vollering chase
The UAE Team L'IMAD rider said the opportunity to gain time on her general classification rival Marlen Reusser was the reason she committed fully to the chase behind Demi Vollering in the finale.
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Vollering had opened a gap in the closing part of the final ramp, but Longo Borghini and Kasia Niewiadoma (Canyon//SRAM) appeared to be clawing back time on the more technical sections of the descent.
“On the descent and in the turns we were really closing in,” Longo Borghini said after the finish. “Then as soon as we went on the straight part, Demi went away.”
At that point, Vollering’s strength proved decisive. Longo Borghini acknowledged there was little they could do once the road became less technical.
“She was really the strongest, so again congratulations to her,” she said. “It was an amazing strength display.”
Even with Vollering riding away, Longo Borghini still had something to race for. She started the day fourth overall, more than two minutes behind Marlen Reusser in third, with the Swiss rider in the group chasing behind.
“If I can gain some time, I try to do it,” Longo Borghini said.
She continued to work after Niewiadoma stopped taking turns.
“Kasia didn’t work. She didn’t even do the sprint with us. Fair enough.”
Longo Borghini said she understood why. “When Kasia is not turning with you, it is because she is completely blocked,” she added. “Otherwise she is always turning and I know this.”
With Reusser in the group behind, Longo Borghini was still racing for time in the general classification.
Asked if she would keep targeting the general classification in the next stage, Longo Borghini gave little away.
“We have to race,” she said with a laugh.
Longo Borghini was also questioned about the incident in the finale, after Niewiadoma said Celiá Gery had pushed her towards the barriers just before Vollering launched her acceleration.
The Italian said she had not seen what happened, having been completely focused on the effort.
“I was blind,” she said. “I was going full gas. I have no clue about it.”
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