After dominating Dwars door Vlaanderen, Elisa Longo Borghini speaks to the microphones and explains: "Today I wanted this victory, I wanted to prove that I'm strong and I came here leaving nothing to chance, it's a sort of revenge after Milan – Sanremo" where, as we recall, Elisa saw victory slip away just a few pedal strokes from the finish line.

"I must admit - continues the Italian champion - that after the last few weeks I had some frustration, Paolo Slongo was good at keeping me calm and now celebrating a success here in the Italian champion's jersey with UAE ADQ is really beautiful".

Then Longo Borghini, who today celebrated her fiftieth career victory, analyzes the race: "I hoped the race would ignite on the Knokteberg but no one seemed willing to attack, then at the top Reusser started and I thought someone would quickly close the gap, but then I found myself alone and on the pavé I attacked. I looked back a couple of times to understand the situation and then I went all out until the finish line, I managed to win, I had come here with this goal" she emphasizes.

On the horizon is the Tour of Flanders, which the Ornavasso athlete won last year and also in 2015, but Elisa doesn't want to think about it and when asked for a comment, she responds: "The Flanders? It's on Saturday, now I want to celebrate this success with my teammates. I must thank them for the work they did today. We proved we are strong and resilient".