Elisa Longo Borghini Dominates Piasco to Claim Eighth Italian Time Trial Title

PIASCO, Italy — In a commanding display of raw power, precision, and enduring excellence, Elisa Longo Borghini brought the curtain down on her stellar campaign in style on Tuesday. Racing against the clock over a lightning-fast 19.7-kilometer course in Piasco, the UAE Team ADQ powerhouse secured her eighth Italian individual time trial championship.

The event, rescheduled from its original slot in June, provided the veteran champion with one final opportunity to pull on the coveted tricolore jersey before heading into the well-earned off-season. By averaging an astonishing 50.839 km/h over the flat Piedmontese terrain, Longo Borghini stopped the clock at 23 minutes and 15 seconds, comfortably outpacing her younger rivals and reclaiming a crown she had temporarily relinquished.

The victory not only cements her status as one of the most decorated cyclists in Italian history but also serves as a resounding statement of intent as she looks toward the future chapters of her illustrious career. Alessia Vigilia (Uno-X Mobility) claimed the silver medal, finishing 54 seconds adrift, while Letizia Borghesi (AG Insurance-Soudal) rounded out the podium in third place.

Chronology of the Race: A Masterclass in Piasco

The atmosphere in Piasco on race day was charged with anticipation. Originally slated for the heart of the European summer in June, the rescheduled Italian National Time Trial Championships took on a unique complexion. For many riders, the legs were heavy after a long, grueling WorldTour calendar that had stretched deep into the autumn months. Yet, for Longo Borghini, the shift in the calendar appeared to do nothing to blunt her competitive edge.

The 19.7-kilometer route was designed for the pure powerhouses of the peloton. Entirely flat and characterized by long, sweeping straightaways interspersed with technical, high-speed corners, the course demanded absolute commitment and an aerodynamic masterclass. With conditions remaining dry and wind speeds mercifully low, the early starters set blistering benchmarks, but it was clear from the intermediate time checks that the true battle was unfolding among the late-starters.

Alessia Vigilia of Uno-X Mobility was among the first to set a truly daunting target. Powering through the course with rhythmic efficiency, Vigilia crossed the line in a time that immediately put the pressure on the remaining favorites. Her time of 24:09 stood as the benchmark for much of the afternoon, showcasing her undeniable progression in the discipline.

However, Longo Borghini was operating on an entirely different plane. From the moment she rolled off the start ramp, the 34-year-old’s cadence was ferocious, her posture locked in a seamless aerodynamic tuck. At the intermediate time check, she had already carved out a commanding advantage over Vigilia.

As she roared down the final straight toward Piasco, cheered on by enthusiastic local crowds, Longo Borghini left no doubt about the outcome. She crossed the finish line in 23:15, lowering the day’s best mark by nearly a minute. Behind her, Letizia Borghesi put in a gutsy, well-paced ride to secure the final spot on the podium, 54 seconds behind Vigilia’s silver-medal time, but the day belonged unequivocally to the veteran from Oleggio.

Supporting Data and Historical Context

To truly understand the magnitude of Elisa Longo Borghini’s latest triumph, one must look at the numbers and the historical tapestry of her career.

The Speed: Averaging 50.839 km/h over a 19.7km effort is a world-class metric, highlighting not only Longo Borghini’s physical capacities at the tail end of a draining season, but also the rapid technological advancements in time-trial equipment, pacing strategies, and aerodynamic optimization within modern women’s cycling.
The Palmarès: This victory marks Longo Borghini’s eighth national time trial title. Her championship sequence is staggering, having previously worn the tricolore in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Redemption: The title holds extra sweet significance after a rare couple of years away from the top step of the podium in this specific discipline. In both 2023 and 2024, it was rising star Vittoria Guazzini (FDJ United-Suez) who had bested Longo Borghini to take the national honors. With Guazzini absent from the top step this time around, Longo Borghini seized her chance to reclaim the mantle.

Podium Breakdown:

Elisa Longo Borghini (UAE Team ADQ) – 23:15 (Avg: 50.839 km/h)
Alessia Vigilia (Uno-X Mobility) – +0:54
Letizia Borghesi (AG Insurance-Soudal) – +1:48 (estimated gap)

The depth of the field in Piasco also underscores the evolution of Italian time-triallists. While Longo Borghini remains the benchmark, riders like Vigilia and Borghesi are demonstrating that Italy’s future against the clock is in robust health, capable of pushing world-class averages on fast, power-oriented courses.

Official Responses and Reactions

Speaking to the press after catching her breath in the finish area, Longo Borghini reflected on the emotional weight of closing her season with a national title, especially given the unusual logistical hurdles of a rescheduled championship.

"It’s always a huge honor to wear the tricolore jersey, and winning it for the eighth time is something I don’t take for granted," Longo Borghini said, her voice carrying the fatigue of a long year matched with the satisfaction of a final victory. "The season has been long, and shifting this race to later in the year brought its own unique challenges with recovery and peaking. But once you pin the number on your back, the motivation takes over."

She also paid tribute to her competitors, acknowledging the fierce fight put up by the younger generation of Italian riders.

"Alessia [Vigilia] and Letizia [Borghesi] pushed us all out there today. The level of time-trial racing in Italy is growing every single season, and you have to be at your absolute best from the first kilometer to the last if you want to win. To take this jersey back after missing out the last couple of years feels fantastic, and it’s a wonderful way to sign off on 2024 before we start thinking about the future."

UAE Team ADQ management echoed these sentiments, releasing a statement praising their talismanic rider’s professionalism. "Elisa embodies what it means to be a champion," the team statement read. "Her ability to maintain supreme focus and deliver a performance of this caliber at the very end of a demanding calendar is a testament to her character and world-class caliber."

Silvia Peresin, representing the Italian Cycling Federation (FCI), praised the smooth organization of the Piasco event despite the late-season calendar adjustment. "We were determined to ensure the National Championships were held, and the town of Piasco delivered a fantastic course. Elisa’s performance was nothing short of legendary—she continues to write history for our sport."

Implications for the Future

As the dust settles on the Piasco time trial, the implications of this race ripple outward across the Italian cycling landscape and the global Women’s WorldTour peloton.

1. A Psychological Boost for UAE Team ADQ

For UAE Team ADQ, having one of their marquee leaders secure a national title heading into the winter break provides immense psychological momentum. Longo Borghini has consistently proven to be the anchor of any team she rides for, combining tactical brilliance in road races with ruthless efficiency against the clock. Carrying the tricolore jersey into the next season guarantees high visibility in early-season time trials and stage races, cementing the team’s status as a dominant force in the peloton.

2. Passing the Torch vs. The Undying Champion

While the narrative of women’s cycling often rightfully focuses on the meteoric rise of teenage prodigies and explosive twenty-somethings, Longo Borghini’s victory at age 34 serves as a masterclass in longevity. In a discipline like the time trial—where physiological metrics, pacing discipline, and aerodynamics reign supreme—experience counts for everything. By holding off the hard-charging challenge of riders like Alessia Vigilia, Longo Borghini has sent a clear message that she has no intention of handing over her crown without a monumental fight. At the same time, the strong performances from Vigilia and Borghesi indicate that the next generation is breathing down her neck, ensuring a healthy, competitive rivalry for years to come.

3. Setting the Stage for Upcoming International Commitments

Though this race concludes the immediate competitive blocks for many domestic riders, national champions hold a special status as they plan their international calendars. Wearing the Italian colors in European and World Championships time trials next year adds a layer of prestige and tactical leverage. For Longo Borghini, who has tasted success across one-day classics, Grand Tours, and championship races alike, maintaining her time-trial prowess remains a crucial weapon in her quest for overall classification glory and international medals.

As the Italian champion finally hangs up her skinsuit and aero helmet to enjoy a well-deserved offseason, the cycling world is reminded once more of her extraordinary caliber. In the quiet roads of Piasco, Elisa Longo Borghini did what she has done best for over a decade: she raced against the clock, defied expectations, and wrote yet another golden chapter in the history of Italian cycling.