The women's edition of
Tre Valli Varesine delivered a tactical and dramatic finale with two big stars,
Demi Vollering and
Elisa Longo Borghini, battling each other throughout the entire final hour of racing. In a sprint between the two however, the Italian champion was crowned the winner over the European champion.
Before the start of the men's race, this Tuesday morning has provided a lot of action with many of the world's best climbers and classics specialists taking to the road in the Italian classic. 137 kilometers on the menu, with around 35 flat before entering the explosive circuit in Varese which featured two small climbs, and a hilltop finish that would test many.
Ema Comte, Eleonora La Bella, Argiro Milaki, Irma Siri and Lara Crestanello formed the day's breakaway, one that wouldn't last long as the favourites - unlike the World Championships - didn't wait to kick off the action. The group was caught with 70 kilometers to go and by that time attacks were already kicking off in the peloton. Demi Vollering and Elisa Longo Borghini had to attack from the peloton with 45 kilometers to go to catch a group containing several of the pre-race favourites, eventually forming a strong group up front that would go on to fight for the top places.
The two attacked once again with 30 kilometers to go alongside Niamh Fisher-Black but the race became quite tactical, and the World Champion Magdeleine Vallieres then attacked with Karlijn Swinkels. This move also forced a reaction from behind, and with 14 kilometers to go on the penultimate lap Vollering attacked from behind, again with Longo Borghini and Kigali's silver medal Fisher-Black to chase down the rainbow jersey.
The quartet headed into the final 3-kilometer long climb in front but Vollering's attacked saw only Longo Borghini respond. The Dutchwoman took matters into her own hands but couldn't drop the Italian champion, meaning the two would fight for the victory in a two-up sprint. Longo Borghini in the final sprint was the fastest and got her revenge after cracking last Sunday at the Europeans. The sprint for third place was won by Eleonora Gasparrini.