"I’ve been dreaming of the Maglia Rosa for so long" - Elisa Longo Borghini full of emotion after perfect start to Giro d'Italia Women 2024

Now aged 32 and in her 13th ever Giro d'Italia Women, Elisa Longo Borghini proved in the opening stage individual time trial that she is still more than capable of finally taking overall victory, securing the stage win and the first Maglia Rosa of the race.

"It’s really emotional," said a tearful Longo Borghini in her post-stage interview, having edged out the Australian, Grace Brown by just a single second in the opening stage individual time trial. "For an Italian, wearing the Maglia Rosa, it’s a big deal. Maybe it’s only for one day, but I’ll be wearing the Maglia Rosa, and I’ve been dreaming of the Maglia Rosa for so long."

“Last year the Corsa Rosa didn’t go the way I wanted, due to a fall, and so I wanted to show that I was feeling good right away. The Maglia Rosa is a dream before it’s a goal, and starting like this is truly wonderful,” she continues, referencing her sad abandonment of last year's edition after a dramatic crash.

Although it was just a single second for the stage win for the Lidl-Trek leader, the time gap to other Maglia Rosa hopefuls by the time Grand Tour ends are a little more stark. Among others, Lotte Kopecky is now plus 25, Juliette Labous at plus 29, Antonia Niedermaier further back at 48 seconds, Gaia Realini is at 1'08 and Niamh Fisher-Black +1'16.