Longo Borghini takes bronze as Vollering dominates women's road race
Elisa Longo Borghini claimed her eighth world championship medal on Saturday, taking bronze in the elite women's road race in Montreal — her first podium at these championships, and her first medal since 2012. The 34-year-old from Piedmont finished four seconds behind winner Demi Vollering of the Netherlands, with Poland's Kasia Niewiadoma taking silver.
The result brings Italy's medal tally at these championships to five in total: one gold, three silver, and two bronze. The team had already made history by winning the mixed team relay for the first time.
A brave attack falls short
Longo Borghini had attempted a solo break in the closing stages, building a gap of around ten seconds on the penultimate lap as she chased down Vollering, who had attacked with roughly 40 kilometres remaining. The move briefly raised hopes of an upset victory before she was caught and dropped on the Voie Camillien-Houde climb by the duo of Vollering and Niewiadoma.
"I tried everything to win," Longo Borghini said after the finish. "I am proud of how I raced and of my national team. It is always an honour to stand on the podium with athletes like Vollering and Niewiadoma."
Vollering completed a near-perfect season with her first world title. The Dutch rider had already won the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, the Giro delle Fiandre and the Amstel Gold Race in 2024.
Switzerland's Marlen Reusser finished fourth, unable to match the medallists in the final kilometres.
Record-breaking week for Italian veteran
Saturday's race marked Longo Borghini's 28th world championship appearance, extending her record as the Italian rider with the most participations in the event. Her bronze adds to a collection that began with her first podium in 2012.
Three days earlier, she had won her first rainbow jersey in the mixed team relay alongside Filippo Ganna, Mattia Cattaneo, Matteo Sobrero, Vittoria Guazzini and Monica Trinca Colonel. The six completed the 40.6-kilometre course in 51 minutes 32 seconds at an average speed of 47.2 km/h, beating France by eight seconds.
"I have been to many world championships and often stood on the podium, but this is my first rainbow jersey and it gives me goosebumps," Longo Borghini said after that victory. "I really believe in this group and winning gold with the team is truly beautiful."
Ganna, who also won silver in the individual time trial, has returned to Italy and will watch Sunday's men's road race from home.
Men's race offers open contest
The men's elite road race takes place on Sunday over 273 kilometres with a total elevation gain of 3,803 metres. The course requires 12 laps of the Montreal circuit, featuring the Camillien-Houde climb and the Chemin de la Polytechnique, where gradients exceed 11 per cent.
Italy lines up with Giulio Ciccone as team captain. The 29-year-old finished sixth at last year's world championships and took second place at the recent Grand Prix de Québec, suggesting the course suits his characteristics.
"We have a solid team and we will try to play our cards," said national coach Roberto Amadio. "The race is long and demanding — anything can happen."
The favourites include Belgium's Remco Evenepoel, who won his fourth consecutive world time trial title earlier this week, and France's Paul Seixas, who turned 20 on Saturday. Other contenders include Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel, Mexican Isaac Del Toro, British rider Tom Pidcock and Spaniards Enric Mas and Juan Ayuso.
Tadej Pogačar's absence has left the field more open than usual. The Slovenian had dominated recent seasons but is not competing in Montreal.
Italy's strategy involves using riders such as Giulio Pellizzari, Lorenzo Finn and Davide Piganzoli for early attacks, forcing other nations to chase while preserving Ciccone's energy for the decisive moments. Matteo Trentin will act as road captain, reading the race and coordinating tactics in the absence of radio communication with team cars.
"We must be patient and stay covered in the early phases," Ciccone said. "Then we need to be ready to respond to the accelerations of the favourites."
Italy historically leads the all-time medal table at the road world championships with 54 gold medals across all categories. Belgium holds the record for men's road race victories with 27, while the Netherlands dominates women's cycling with 14 titles in the road race.
Sunday's race concludes a week that has already delivered Italy's first mixed relay world title and reinforced Longo Borghini's status as one of the country's most enduring competitors.
