"Whatever the colour of an Olympic medal, it's worth gold" - Elisa Longo Borghini hopeful of carrying good form in Paris games

One of the biggest names in the women's peloton, 32-year-old Italian Elisa Longo Borghini is arguably in the form of her life coming into the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after finally managing to the win the Maglia Rosa at the Giro d'Italia Women ahead of Lotte Kopecky earlier this month.

"I'd be happy with another medal. Whatever the colour of an Olympic medal, it's worth gold," says Longo Borghini, who already has a bronze medal apiece from the 2016 Olympics in Rio and the 2021 games in Tokyo, in conversation with the Italian website Tuttobiciweb.

"There's nothing like climbing on the podium at the Olympics to receive a medal. You feel like you've really achieved something," recalls the Italian star, who also wins at the likes of Brabantse Pijl and the Tour of Flanders Women already this campaign. "A medal in the time trial will be tough to win but I've never been in such good form. I felt good after winning the Giro and have rested up and done speed work before coming to Paris. I've worked hard on my time trailing and want to improve even more. That's one reason why I'm here."

Whilst Longo Borghini will indeed be one of the fancied name heading into the time trial, the Lidl-Trek leader is hoping teammate Ellen van Dijk can also manage to join her on the final podium for the Netherlands. "I'd love for Ellen to win," Longo Borghini admits warmly, full of credit for her good friend and teammate. "She gave birth to a boy in October and it is amazing that she's back racing after just a few months. She's a role model. I hope she's recovered as much as possible from her injury. She lost some muscle because of it but I know how hard she's worked to make a comeback."