She is an incredibly sweet and determined girl. In terms of mentality, she is probably the most Belgian among Italians. It's no coincidence that Letizia Borghesi in 2025 with her 2nd place was the best Italian at Roubaix, a French race geographically, with a typical Benelux mentality in relation to its characteristics. At the 2025 Tour of Flanders, the ultimate Belgian monument, miss Borghesi crossed the finish line sixth and the best among Italians.

“It was beautiful to stand on the podium at Roubaix – exclaims the only Italian in the AG Insurance 2026 team – and it represented a reward for me, who often works in support of my teammates. The same goes for the great result at the Tour of Flanders”.

Letizia secured a “top 6” at Flanders despite bad luck: “There were many crashes at the Ronde Van Vlaanderen – specifies the Trentino rider who won a stage at the 2019 Women's Giro d'Italia – and I was also involved. I was stronger than misfortune and finished with the leaders”.

Faithful to the Flemish cliché, Letizia Borghesi prepared her 2026 road season by participating in cyclocross races in Italy and abroad, often ranking ahead of specialists. After her 5th place at the Italian Cross Championship in Brugherio, the girl born on October 16, 1998, intensifies her preparation on Trentino roads.

“The efforts, acrobatics, and in general the athletic gestures of cyclocross – says Letizia, neighbor and friend of champion Maurizio Fondriest – including accelerations and rhythm intensity provide benefits that are useful in road classics, especially those with pavé. Plus, practicing cyclocross gives me serenity. Thanks to cyclo-practice, I manage to be mentally strong”.

Letizia left EF Education on December 31st to join AG Insurance – Soudal and will not train in Spain this month. In February, she will join her new teammates in Calpe, Costa Blanca, before her seasonal debut at the Valencia Week from February 12th to 15th. Subsequently, she will compete in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, the opening classic of the Belgian calendar, on the roads of the Ronde Van Vlaanderen.

Joining the team that represents the women's version of the men's Soudal-Quick Step is a cultural revolution for the cyclist born in Cles. “After 4 years, I've partially changed my road preparation. AG Insurance-Soudal is the team that can allow me to express the best of myself, especially in the classics”.

Letizia often cheers in front of the television for her friend Nadia Battocletti, champion of cross-country and other endurance athletics disciplines. “I also practiced running – recounts Lety Borghesi – and Nadia was my teammate at Atletica Val di Non. Then we reached a career crossroads: I chose cycling. Nadia could have become a cycling champion, but she preferred running and it was a happy choice”.

The “almost athletics champion” of AG Insurance hopes to perform well in Italian races: “Strade Bianche is the classic that fascinates me the most and I hope to convince the AG Insurance technical staff to let me compete. Of course, I also hope to do great at the Trofeo Binda in Cittiglio, a race that the organization has extended to benefit those with endurance. And I'm naturally also thinking about the women's Sanremo”.

Letizia will then head north very determined: “I hope the temperature is low during Flanders, Roubaix, and other classics: I like racing in the cold”. Her 2026 program might include 1 or 2 major stage races. In the AG Insurance roster, there are climbers like Sarah Gigante, Urska Zigart, Mirei Benito, Kimberley Le Court De Billot, Ashleigh Moolman Pasio. “I'm aware of being part of a team with very strong climbing girls, suitable for stage races. In the grand tours, if I race them, I'll have to help them for the general classification. Maybe adding a stage win to my team work. I always hope”.

Letizia has bonded well with AG Insurance technicians: “We have Jolien D'Hoore, who as an active cyclist was a great sprinter. I've always respected her”. Lety Borghesi lights up when mentioning other Italian races: “The quality of Tre Valli Varesine, Giro dell'Emilia, Trofeo Tessile & Moda is remarkable also due to the increase in prize money. The Professional Cycling League has enhanced them. Within the limits of my very international race program, I'll try to score points in the Regions Cup of Italy as well”.

The Italian national team coach, Marco Velo, is an admirer of Letizia. “At the beginning of the 2025 season – reveals the coach – I called Letizia, I had pre-alerted her for a possible call-up. I didn't select her due to limited national team spots and the characteristics of the World and European Championships with routes for strong climbing girls. However, Letizia was very good in the classics last year and will certainly be strong in 2026 with the work she's doing this winter. The 2026 World Championship route is still for strong climbing girls, the European Championship route we don't know yet. But one thing is certain: the national team door is not closed for Letizia in 2026. Depending on the altimetric characteristics of the Europeans, Letizia could be useful to me this year. I'll make further evaluations also in view of the World Championship”.