The eve of the Elite women's world championship race at "Spazio Italia" confirmed, if there was any doubt, how much Elisa Longo Borghini wants to board the streetcar called desire. Of the podium. The Ossolana's sumptuous palmares demands it (titles and Giros, three world bronzes plus two at the Olympic Games), authorized to dream by the performance delivered during the Team Relay.

The Ossolana's mindset is indeed the right one, inspired by an attitude that does not mean excessive realism: "compared to a year ago, when I was preparing for Kigali 2025, I had a more relaxed approach, as if I had opened all my pores to the experience that the road delivers to you".

Yes, the rainbow jersey worn together with the mixed team teaches exactly this: "as does the individual time trial. After the Tour and third place in the general classification, the choice to stay home, without retreats or altitude training, reflects the absence of stress with which to face the world championship. So far it has definitely worked".

Longo Borghini who doesn't hide, Longo Borghini who feels good, moreover facing a course that she likes. Three clues make a (great) performance? Elisa prefers to rely on what the team relay offered, on that finale tackled really at full speed, once Vittoria Guazzini's last move was exhausted. When the Ossolana sings the praises of the group ("winning together with the men has the value of finalizing a common journey") she doesn't use convenient expressions.

Now, over the nine laps of the Mont Royal circuit, a gentle leadership takes over, almost in opposition to tyranny, unless it is exercised against the opponents. In that case we could make exceptions. Speaking with every Italian called to support the captain, the statements collected align: "all for Elisa".

Here again is the concept of unity that makes strength, sublimated in the team relay, while the demanding circuit calls at its key points: mainly Voie Camillien-Houde, but beware of overlooking the last 500 meters to the finish line ("Perfect timing is needed"). Longo Borghini preaches caution to herself, an attitude not to be confused with excessive tacticism, with a selective and long-distance race: "to face 180 km you need to prove yourself both resistant and explosive. A race with Voellering in the role of main favorite, while Kim Le Court Pienaar could prove truly insidious in a tight sprint".

The representation space of the Italian federation (the Boucherville suburb is not so close to the center, but serves as a functional base for bike outings), adjacent to the Hotel hosting the Italian national teams, fills with other athletes, all somehow aligned with the absence of pressure invoked (and implemented) by Elisa. Forgive the blasphemy, it seems like invoking Our Queen of the Pedal.