"I think Demi wanted to leave and say goodbye to the group with a 'see you all'. But we made her suffer and it was a beautiful race to ride and to watch, because there was so much uncertainty. After all, we athletes are called to put on a show".

Elisa Longo Borghini allowed herself a selfie on the podium with Vollering and Niewadoma, following a performance in which she gave everything she had.

Indeed, she personally took risks.

"I could feel someone coming from behind but I desperately wanted this medal, which I feel I deserved. The Dutch rider was brutal in her attack three laps from the end, I have great respect for what she did today, she will be a worthy world champion".

But, what's the catch?

"That if you don't take risks in life and in cycling you don't win. I love direct confrontation and making my opponents suffer sportingly".

Would you like more races in North America?

"Yes, I've always felt good racing around here. There's great passion and I experienced that flow of energy every meter of the way. Can I say this as an Italian? You're warm and loud, the best".

What did you say to Niewadoma?

"Now or never. We honored that motto which inspires me every time I pin the number on my back".

An intense week: after the time trial, what was your preparation like for the road race?

"I won't forget the team relay, celebrated with restraint at the hotel, because there was still the road race to prepare for. It comforts me to have left everything, absolutely everything to win. Already in Zurich they caught me when I was alone in the lead, it seems that's how it was meant to be".

Those cramps to manage: what happened?

"A tendinitis after the Tour de France basically forces me to pedal a bit crooked. So for the first time in my career I learned to understand when the crisis arrives, following my husband's advice. I learned the lesson, otherwise I wouldn't be here at the world championship press conference as one of the top three".

Speaking of Jacopo Mosca, who gave you precious advice: have you already spoken?

"Yes, although during the call my listening group in Ornavasso was particularly noisy, with the grandchildren making a terrible racket. It's always nice to have this kind of warmth around me, even with an ocean of distance".

Celebrations somewhat postponed with the European Championships in sight?

"Time is a tyrant. We're heading to Slovenia and the schedule is quite packed, with the time trial, team relay and road race. Then it will be time, I hope, for the Italian time trial and the Giro del Veneto, but unfortunately not the Tre Valli, which I really like, as it coincides with the continental championship".

Fourteen years from the bronze in Valkenburg to today: what's the common thread between the two medals?

"In Holland I was twenty years old. I'm not saying I struggled to understand what was happening, but emotion prevailed. Here in Montreal I would speak of awareness combined with a somewhat bold way of racing. I had so much fun.

So did we, if we may say so.

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